stigma

noun

ˈstig-mə How to pronounce stigma (audio)
Definition of stigmanext
as in stain
a mark of guilt or disgrace in "The Scarlet Letter," Hester Prynne bore the stigma of adultery

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stigma The goal is to erase the stigma that can be felt at food banks and by those facing food insecurity. — Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026 If the neighborhood, family and institutions around that young person have not changed, the conditions that made violence attractive remain, and stigma can become a mechanism of re-recruitment. — Charles Wratto, The Conversation, 27 Oct. 2026 Only about 1 in 3 respondents reported feeling no stigma at all. — Sandy Bassin, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Risks are higher still for people pushed to the margins by stigma and discrimination. — Michele Decker, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stigma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stigma
  1. stain
  2. taint
  3. guilt
  4. shame
  5. blot
Noun
  • Often, the words and language delivered to our brains come with a shine or a stain.
    — Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Patinkin cautions that long-wearing lipsticks and stains may dry too quickly to blend, while oily balms may not stay put on skin.
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of stain
Noun
  • The company has previously harvested grapes that could not be made into wine following wildfire smoke-taint, including from Cates’ own vineyard.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Even though Thiam denied knowledge of it and was cleared of involvement, the taint of the scandal led to his ouster.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of taint
Noun
  • Another study found that Americans felt less collective guilt about harm done to Iraqis when they were reminded of 9/11—and even when they were reminded of Pearl Harbor.
    — Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026
  • But her fumbling coming-of-age is fraught with guilt, mostly about Callie and her shattered mother.
    — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of guilt
Noun
  • Of course, people were surprised that a 15-year-old boy wanted to tackle menstrual shame.
    — Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 7 Nov. 2026
  • To join the tide of anti-intellectualism that refuses to take this seriously or rise to the challenge of doing so, as Tate has done with this exhibition, is a grave shame.
    — Eliza Goodpasture, ARTnews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of shame
Noun
  • Would not winning a World Series have left a blot on the lives of Cubs fans?
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Liz’s view Anthropic’s IPO prospectus is a perfect ink-blot test.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of blot

Browse Nearby Words

stifling
stigma
stigmas
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Cite this Entry

“Stigma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigma. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stigma

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stigma

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