as in labeling
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 stigmatizing
Framing medical treatment as a failure of willpower ignores the science — potentially delaying and stigmatizing life-saving interventions.
—
Jia Shen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
But the situation in that city has also demonstrated MAGA’s methods for stigmatizing dissent.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
Those gender-specific displays can feel intimidating or stigmatizing to some men, Horvath said.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
In 2021, the actress and comedian opened up further about her addiction and the importance of de-stigmatizing the topic.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 24 Nov. 2025
But economic eligibility systems are stigmatizing and difficult to navigate, Bailin said.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
Chiefly, many doctors say the label is largely responsible for stigmatizing hormone therapy and discouraging many women from taking it and doctors from prescribing it.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 10 Nov. 2025
However, experts say juvenile delinquencies can have serious long-term consequences by disrupting children's education and stigmatizing them.
—Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Nov. 2025
Most states barely touch on the area of mental health when a person applies for a gun license due to concerns over privacy issues and stigmatizing people who have mental health issues, CNN has reported.
—Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2025
Jia Shen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
But the situation in that city has also demonstrated MAGA’s methods for stigmatizing dissent.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
Those gender-specific displays can feel intimidating or stigmatizing to some men, Horvath said.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
In 2021, the actress and comedian opened up further about her addiction and the importance of de-stigmatizing the topic.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 24 Nov. 2025
But economic eligibility systems are stigmatizing and difficult to navigate, Bailin said.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
Chiefly, many doctors say the label is largely responsible for stigmatizing hormone therapy and discouraging many women from taking it and doctors from prescribing it.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 10 Nov. 2025
However, experts say juvenile delinquencies can have serious long-term consequences by disrupting children's education and stigmatizing them.
—Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Nov. 2025
Most states barely touch on the area of mental health when a person applies for a gun license due to concerns over privacy issues and stigmatizing people who have mental health issues, CNN has reported.
—Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stigmatizing
Verb
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Many on the outside are, within logic and reason, labeling the collection of moves a rebuild.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
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City Attorney Evan Goyke and his neighborhood revitalization and ordinance enforcement team recently slapped one of the city's biggest out-of-state landlords with two lawsuits labeling his properties and business model as a public nuisance.—
Vanessa Swales,
jsonline.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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An Amazon Web Services (AWS) spokesperson said the disruption was ongoing, without specifying the exact location affected or any potential damage done.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
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Access and collaborative agreements — and sometimes even land return agreements — come with requirements specifying what tribes can and cannot do with the land.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These scenes triggered a mild satanic panic online, with some Christians branding the film demonic.—
Kemi Alemoru,
Glamour,
14 Mar. 2026
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So designing it, branding it, securing everything, and building it all in 36 hours is an incredibly difficult challenge.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But simply naming the great fear and sharing it with the millions of watchers in living rooms and hotels and airport lobbies was a trial almost too painful to contemplate.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
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Creative Artists Agency has hired branding agent Courtney McHugh, naming her as an executive in its talent business ventures group.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The district is the poorest the city, and the council race is expected to be one of the most competitive city contests this June, with the current council member, Curren Price, terming out.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
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Experts are terming this more of a long-term drought given the longevity but still, a wet spring could change things in a hurry.—
Terry Eliasen,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But Johnson-Swartz began calling and texting in the days that followed, the student told investigators.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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On Friday, the House Speaker, Mike Johnson, tersely rejected the bill, calling it a joke.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stigmatizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigmatizing. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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