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
-
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
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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
Noun
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Crafted with better-for-you ingredients, Javvy's Instant Protein Coffee blend and viral Coffee Concentrate deliver guilt-free indulgence, offering craveable flavors without compromise.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Many of these dismissals were a result of the difference between what police need to arrest and what prosecutors need to prove guilt — which is a much higher burden, said DA spokesperson Mike Stolp.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There’s so much shame around the body.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
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That's due to lack of access, shame or embarrassment and just not knowing the symptoms.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
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The broad scenario is one in which Iran is, at best, a minor blot in the rearview mirror as America’s interests move elsewhere.—
Fintan O’Toole,
The New York Review of Books,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stigma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigma. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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