as in labeled
usually disapproving
to describe or regard (something, such as a characteristic or group of people) in a way that shows strong disapproval
a legal system that stigmatizes juveniles as criminals
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Recent Examples of stigmatized
When snowboarding was first created, mountains banned snowboards from ski lifts because they were stigmatized by association with outcasts and misfits.
—
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
In February, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will begin, forcing Loktev’s journalist-subjects, who have already been stigmatized by the government for doing their jobs, to flee the country altogether—a crisis that registers onscreen with an almost unbearable suspense.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025
When we are stigmatized or criminalized simply for being ourselves, the result is profound psychological harm.
—Pamuela A Halliwell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2025
From taboo to televised What was once stigmatized has become more normalized through reality TV.
—Julia Meszaros, The Conversation, 21 Nov. 2025
None has been stigmatized as too sexy (Anora in 2024) or too teary (CODA in 2021).
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2025
The higher-education sector once stigmatized these trade and technical schools.
—Stephen Tave, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
Some cultures may be more accepting and don't feel the need to label neurodivergences, while they may be heavily stigmatized in others.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
They’ve been stigmatized as unkempt or unprofessional, banned in schools and workplaces through discriminatory policies that the CROWN Act was created to dismantle.
—Jailynn Tayor, Essence, 21 Oct. 2025
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
In February, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will begin, forcing Loktev’s journalist-subjects, who have already been stigmatized by the government for doing their jobs, to flee the country altogether—a crisis that registers onscreen with an almost unbearable suspense.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 5 Dec. 2025
When we are stigmatized or criminalized simply for being ourselves, the result is profound psychological harm.
—Pamuela A Halliwell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2025
From taboo to televised What was once stigmatized has become more normalized through reality TV.
—Julia Meszaros, The Conversation, 21 Nov. 2025
None has been stigmatized as too sexy (Anora in 2024) or too teary (CODA in 2021).
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2025
The higher-education sector once stigmatized these trade and technical schools.
—Stephen Tave, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
Some cultures may be more accepting and don't feel the need to label neurodivergences, while they may be heavily stigmatized in others.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
They’ve been stigmatized as unkempt or unprofessional, banned in schools and workplaces through discriminatory policies that the CROWN Act was created to dismantle.
—Jailynn Tayor, Essence, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stigmatized
Verb
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During those latter conflicts, Cheney defended harsh interrogation techniques that others labeled torture.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
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Transportation Security Administration agents and close to 13,000 air traffic controllers are among federal workers labeled as essential and have been working with no pay since the start of the shutdown.—
Tara Suter,
The Hill,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The case led to new regulations throughout the vegan food scene regarding how foods can be branded and if terms like milk or mayo can be used without key animal byproducts.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Jan. 2026
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Many members of Congress, including Democrats, criticized this legal reasoning, but Obama was not branded a would-be king; the operation was often described in the media and by supporters as a humanitarian intervention.—
Paul Vallas,
Twin Cities,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There is no difference specified under the law.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
William also is understood to pay tax on his income, but only after subtracting household expenses, which were not specified in the latest report, People reported.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Saturday night’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Kaseya Center was the latest example of his ability to bounce back, leaving in the first quarter due to what the team termed leg soreness, listed as questionable to return at that point, and then back on the court in the second period.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
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Preliminary results from the clinical trial that Christina joined, termed the Remain-1 study, indicate that the procedure is working as intended to stabilize weight after GLP-1 therapy.—
Elie Dolgin,
IEEE Spectrum,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The rover, named SCARABS, comes from the Lunar and Planetary Exploration Laboratory at UEL and focuses on compact design, hardware validation, and long-term lunar infrastructure rather than spectacle.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
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Dame Helen Mirren was named the recipient of the 2026 Cecil B, DeMille Award at the Golden Globes for her contribution to the film and entertainment industries.—
Diane J. Cho,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stigmatized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigmatized. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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