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
This is the message behind the Sjout for Sjogren’s campaign, an awareness movement that Inaba hopes will help spread more knowledge about the disease and reduce stigma.
—
Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
There might be less hype—and less stigma.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Andreae hopes that reclassifying the drug reduces the stigma around cannabis products.
—Tara Lynch, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
There’s still much to discover about the biology underlying these distinctions, but research suggests that hormonal fluctuations throughout life, differences in upper airway anatomy, and even social stigmas about how women should sleep are likely at play.
—Katie Camero, SELF, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stigma
Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
There might be less hype—and less stigma.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Andreae hopes that reclassifying the drug reduces the stigma around cannabis products.
—Tara Lynch, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
There’s still much to discover about the biology underlying these distinctions, but research suggests that hormonal fluctuations throughout life, differences in upper airway anatomy, and even social stigmas about how women should sleep are likely at play.
—Katie Camero, SELF, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stigma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stigma
Noun
-
The story follows an astronaut (Kirby) who is forced to make an impossible decision after an incident with her co-pilot (Pullman) leaves an indelible stain on the mission in the days leading up to lift off, setting off a tense race against the clock.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Regular washing prevents stains from setting into the mattress, eliminates odors, and maintains the protector's waterproof properties if applicable.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There’s a purity here, the course free from the taint of bureaucracy governing so much of the academy.—
Peter Wayne Moe,
Longreads,
26 Mar. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.—
Steve Metsch,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
And grief is not the same as guilt.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
That’s a shame, particularly in an entertainment landscape dominated by recycled IP.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
-
Even when precautions were necessary, presidents once felt shame about their distance from the people.—
Neil Flanagan,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Never rub or scrub the stained area; blot instead.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
-
Spot Clean Stains For sweat stains, urine or spills, blot the area with a clean cloth and a mild cleaning solution.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stigma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigma. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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