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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The worker, according to a lawsuit, brushed ashes with a bare hand into what appeared to be a plastic sandwich bag, without labeling the bag or marking where the sample came from within the Altadena house.—
Tony Saavedra,
Daily News,
5 Mar. 2026
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On March 5, Noem refused to apologize to the families of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good for labeling them domestic terrorists.—
Angela George,
Sioux Falls Argus Leader,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Apple isn't specifying what changes were made—likely a combination of a wider-bandwidth controller, faster NAND flash for lower latency, and platform-level improvements introduced with the M5-series chips—but the company does claim up to two-times-faster SSD performance.—
Brian Westover,
PC Magazine,
9 Mar. 2026
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The Blackhawks announced on Saturday that Murray died earlier in the day, without specifying where.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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Tung said expensive shampoos and conditioners are sometimes worth the price, but a product's effectiveness is determined by active ingredients and not branding.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Fox News Digital is not naming the individual because he has not been formally charged.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
11 Mar. 2026
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Energy Transfer’s gift will be recognized by naming two family lounges and a patient floor in the new hospital.—
Lana Ferguson,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Councilmember Bob Blumenfield is terming out in District 3, leaving the race to represent the southwestern San Fernando Valley open to a newcomer.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The guys were joking around, calling coach my dad and stuff like that.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Mar. 2026
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The Lebanese government has also taken steps to distance itself from Hezbollah, including issuing arrest warrants for members behind the strikes into Israel and calling for the dismantling of Hezbollah's military wing.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stigmatizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigmatizing. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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