stigmatizing

present participle of stigmatize
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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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 stigmatizing The word addict was stigmatizing; better to refer to people who use drugs. Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 There’ll be bits of the media, the right-wing press, for instance, who will have already put in some hard work stigmatizing asylum seekers or other groups of immigrants. Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 12 June 2026 Many nurses reported hearing their colleagues using stigmatizing language and dismissive behaviors. Karli Swenson, The Conversation, 11 June 2026 Anthropic sued, claiming the Pentagon is illegally retaliating by stigmatizing the company with a designation meant to protect against sabotage of national security systems by foreign adversaries. ABC News, 31 May 2026 Using it as a vehicle for panic about the World Cup risks both stigmatizing affected populations and distracting attention from the practical preparedness measures that actually keep people safe. Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 28 May 2026 The changes aim to eliminate what officials described as stigmatizing language and reflect advances in preventative care. Eric Henderson, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026 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 Those gender-specific displays can feel intimidating or stigmatizing to some men, Horvath said. Luke Fountain, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stigmatizing
Verb
  • Law enforcement officials are cautious about labeling someone as a member of, or even affiliated with, the mafia.
    Jack Harvel August 17, Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Kindergarten teacher Kat Golando of Keystone School in San Antonio recommends labeling everything—from lunch boxes to sweaters—with name stickers or stamps.
    Adrienne Farr, Parents, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • After years of fraught negotiations between the states failed to yield a deal, federal authorities have stepped in and are expected to publish a plan in the coming days specifying the exact reductions required of states through 2028.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Without specifying which operators, Trost added platforms within the space also have a responsibility in following regulation, rather than working around it.
    Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Like the Lows, the Air Force 1 Mid Gore-Tex Vibram releases will feature branding from both collaborators with a Gore-Tex tag just beneath the Swoosh and Vibram’s signature yellow logo on the midsole.
    Riley Jones, Footwear News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • One woman picketed Doyle’s home with a sign branding him a murderer.
    Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • That means naming pregnant women explicitly in heatwave guidance, revisiting the heat thresholds that trigger official alerts, and assessing whether maternity units themselves can cope as temperatures rise.
    Catarina Rolfsdotter-Jansson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Most years, Freeman is eager to get into what the Irish did well, picking out a few standout performances and naming a winner between the offense and defense.
    Pete Sampson, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The five-member governing body is guaranteed at least one new face, with four candidates vying for the open 4th District seat now that Doug Chaffee will be terming out at the end of the year.
    Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 2 June 2026
  • With Vice Mayor Pam Foley terming out, five individuals are vying for her District 9 seat, which encompasses a southwestern portion in San Jose, including the Cambrian Park neighborhood.
    Grace Hase, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • The American singer gave KiiiKiii a shoutout during an interview with The Korea Times, calling them a strong fifth-generation group that stands out.
    Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Among them, offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand opted against taking what was effectively a demotion, with play-calling duties going to a more veteran coach (eventually, Frank Reich), and left, too.
    Jonathan Jones, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stigmatizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigmatizing. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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