as in stain
a mark of guilt or disgrace
in "The Scarlet Letter," Hester Prynne bore the stigma of adultery
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stigma
Anti-hunger groups said the change would create confusion and increase stigma against people who use SNAP.
—
Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
Obviously in talking about your feelings, for women too but maybe especially for men, there’s a stigma and a little bit of a scary thing.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
For its 310 students and more than 80 children from infants to toddlers, Greenland represents a second chance at school that is free from stigma and, experts say, a model for how young mothers can be reintegrated into education.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Dan Skovronsky, Lilly’s chief scientific and product officer, told USA TODAY that a weight-loss pill also should help people overcome barriers such as stigma about obesity or unwillingness to get a shot.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stigma
Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
Obviously in talking about your feelings, for women too but maybe especially for men, there’s a stigma and a little bit of a scary thing.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
For its 310 students and more than 80 children from infants to toddlers, Greenland represents a second chance at school that is free from stigma and, experts say, a model for how young mothers can be reintegrated into education.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Dan Skovronsky, Lilly’s chief scientific and product officer, told USA TODAY that a weight-loss pill also should help people overcome barriers such as stigma about obesity or unwillingness to get a shot.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stigma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stigma
Noun
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The aluminum and paraben-free formula applies easily and doesn’t leave stains or residue.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
8 Apr. 2026
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Designed to blend easily, dry quickly, stay off your clothes (stain-free) and last about six to seven days.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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So long-reaching was the taint of that shame, Kentucky’s Bill Spivey died in Costa Rica, a practical exile after he not only was run out of the college game, he was banned from the NBA, too.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
18 Mar. 2026
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Iran, a war targeting regime change and the destruction of its nuclear capacities — laudable goals — also has the suspicious taint of being all about oil.—
Markos Kounalakis,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
With busy schedules, sitting down to eat a meal as a family can be tricky and cause feelings of guilt.—
Dr. Sarah Kinsella,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
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The Israeli justice ministry has since advised Herzog against the move, citing the lack of a conviction, the absence of remorse or admission of guilt.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That’s a shame, because the region stretching from Albany in the east to Buffalo in the west—the Erie Canal corridor—contains some of the most startling and consequential history anywhere in the country.—
Beverly Gage,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
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Which is a shame, because Mud Lake IV sounds like a movie sequel.—
Mark Glende,
Twin Cities,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Cover the stain with your DIY cleaning solution, rinse thoroughly, then blot to dry.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Apr. 2026
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Cover the stain with your DIY cleaning solution, rinse thoroughly, then blot to dry.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stigma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigma. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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