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
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
For decades, American culture has pushed college as the only path to middle-class prosperity while stigmatizing manual labor as somehow lesser work.
—Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
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
For decades, American culture has pushed college as the only path to middle-class prosperity while stigmatizing manual labor as somehow lesser work.
—Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stigmatizing
Verb
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In March, tensions between the two governments escalated when the US deported more than 200 Venezuelan migrants, labeling them criminals, to the Terrorism Confinement Center (Cecot) in El Salvador.—
Germán Padinger,
CNN Money,
31 Dec. 2025
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Others may contain caffeine without clearly labeling it at all.—
Simon Spichak,
Health,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Putting the murder shortlist in one person’s hands, rather than letting the shields do the work of specifying who can be killed off, is a major change that gives the Secret Traitor a ton of power without a ton of explanation for their thinking.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
10 Jan. 2026
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The guidelines include changes to alcohol recommendations, no longer specifying appropriate limits for men and women.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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More than anything, O’Leary is intent on branding himself a champion of capitalism.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
2 Jan. 2026
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Posting, meanwhile, is a self-branding exercise, and your content’s affect and style form your brand voice.—
Paul McAdory,
Them.,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
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First, Monty Miller (a suave, anguished Jon Hamm), Tommy’s lifelong friend and billionaire founder of M-Tex, dies suddenly, but not before naming the fixer as the new company president.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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Rosado proposed an alternative of naming Reyes interim city manager on a six-month basis, but none of his colleagues backed him.—
Tess Riski
January 8,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At least 100 demonstrators gathered in New York City's Federal Plaza in the rain Saturday afternoon to condemn the shooting, calling for justice for Good's family and the abolishment of ICE.—
Kristie Keleshian,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
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Several minutes later, officers responded to a report of a man calling for help near Northeast 146th Avenue and East Burnside after being shot.—
Taylor Romine,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stigmatizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigmatizing. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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