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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stigmatizing
Verb
-
Alas, Verbinski is no purist, and doesn’t see the issue of labelling AI usage as purely black and white.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
13 June 2026
-
Commissioner John Wasik, who voted against the resolution, said labeling the project as de minimis is insufficient considering the environmental issues surrounding the Waukegan area.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
On June 11, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department released a statement specifying that Mexican authorities had not contacted them about the tip or the search efforts, but saying the investigation was still ongoing.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
17 June 2026
-
Its Senate sponsor, Chicago Democrat Ram Villivalam, acknowledged more work was needed without specifying what stalled the bill.—
Jack O'Connor,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The Times also won the silver medal for the category, branding identity for series, section, vertical or product (multiplatform), for De Los’ The Best of Latino Los Angeles.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Politicians and pundits and former residents have battered New York City in recent years, branding our town as a symbol of a country gone to hell.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is asking the public for help naming a female lion cub born in April.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
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Beyond harsher criticism, sports media frames Black athletes differently — often naming them as villains, failures, antagonists or questioning their leadership when necessary.—
Brielle Miller,
Baltimore Sun,
16 June 2026
Verb
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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
-
During a press conference last week, Lamont issued his own proposal to require that electric utilities seek regular approval to continue operating in Connecticut but stopped short of calling for a public takeover.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
20 June 2026
-
Raccoons living in your home can be detrimental in a variety of ways, and calling a professional to help remove them is a good idea.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stigmatizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigmatizing. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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