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
For someone raised in a lower-middle-class, stigmatized community, holding back seemed quite sensible.
—
Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
As a young schoolboy, Davidson was often cruelly stigmatized because no one had bothered to diagnose his disorder.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026
For example, research on fashion consumption has shown how wearing a veil, once widely stigmatized in urban and secular settings, gradually became seen as ordinary and even fashionable as more women openly adopted it.
—Emily Tanner, The Conversation, 10 Feb. 2026
Fernando Gonzalez, the filmmaker behind Dante, believes psychedelics are becoming less stigmatized as more Americans realize their value as legitimate medication.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 22 Jan. 2026
Dupes have been around for decades in beauty, but the category saw a shift when TikTok went mainstream in 2020, and opting for dupes became not only less stigmatized by consumers across income levels, but for some, even recognized as a sign of beauty savvy and know-how.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
Lesotho is poor, and AIDS is stigmatized.
—Majirata Latela, The Dial, 13 Jan. 2026
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
Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
As a young schoolboy, Davidson was often cruelly stigmatized because no one had bothered to diagnose his disorder.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 23 Feb. 2026
For example, research on fashion consumption has shown how wearing a veil, once widely stigmatized in urban and secular settings, gradually became seen as ordinary and even fashionable as more women openly adopted it.
—Emily Tanner, The Conversation, 10 Feb. 2026
Fernando Gonzalez, the filmmaker behind Dante, believes psychedelics are becoming less stigmatized as more Americans realize their value as legitimate medication.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 22 Jan. 2026
Dupes have been around for decades in beauty, but the category saw a shift when TikTok went mainstream in 2020, and opting for dupes became not only less stigmatized by consumers across income levels, but for some, even recognized as a sign of beauty savvy and know-how.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
Lesotho is poor, and AIDS is stigmatized.
—Majirata Latela, The Dial, 13 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stigmatized
Verb
-
On March 4, Anthropic was officially labeled as a supply chain risk, in a more narrow reading than Trump’s Truth Social post.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
10 Mar. 2026
-
In response, the Defense Department labeled the company a supply-chain risk last week.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Fears have been growing for the fate of the women after they were branded traitors by state media last week, for failing to sing the national anthem before their opening match of the Asian Cup, which is being held in Australia.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Amazon has been vying to compete with Starlink via its Leo satellite service, previously branded as Kuiper.—
Annie Palmer,Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Winner is responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes, if any, as well as any other costs and expenses associated with Prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Police haven’t specified a motive for the double homicide, other than saying that Swadley had dated Lori’s daughter, and that the relationship ended roughly two months before the killings.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Carollo, who was termed out at the end of last year, has since been replaced as the District 3 commissioner by political newcomer Rolando Escalona, a Carollo critic whose election night watch party took place at the Tower Hotel, which is owned by Fuller and Pinilla.—
Tess Riski
March 3,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The June primary will pit nine Republican candidates against each other as voters decide who will follow Kevin Stitt, who is termed out.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The rooms Each of the seven accommodations at Origins Astral is named after a planet and range from two to four bedrooms—these are villas, with an indoor-outdoor living area, plunge pool, and kitchen.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
-
On Monday, Villanova’s Devin Askew won Big East Sixth Man of the Year, while teammate Tyler Perkins was named the conference’s Most Improved Player — an honor Ejiofor won last year.—
Peter Sblendorio,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stigmatized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigmatized. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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