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
Related Words
Relevance
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
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
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
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
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
-
This week, at Congress’ insistence, the Department of Justice unredacted a 2019 FBI document labeling Wexner as a co-conspirator of Epstein’s.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Toner suggests labeling each planter by size or project, and keeping them neatly organized on a shelf or workbench.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Apart from specifying that the number of wolves had to exceed the state’s endangerment cutoff, legislators never defined what such a sustainable level might be.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Entire chapters specifying how nuclear material should be secured and what sorts of physical barriers should be built to protect it have been reduced to bullet points.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Government facilities should focus on function, service and impartiality — not branding or advertising.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Endorsed candidates also agree to certain conditions, including branding themselves as democratic socialists.—
Killian Baarlaer,
Louisville Courier Journal,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Without naming doctors or patients due to HIPAA guidelines and privacy concerns, CNN asked DHS to comment on the ICE encounters the doctor described.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
These promotions come on the heels of Buchwald naming Julia Buchwald as Chief Executive Officer and President, and Ryan Martin as Co-President of the agency.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In District 3, which covers the southwestern San Fernando Valley including Woodland Hills, Tarzana and Reseda, City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield is terming out, leaving the field open.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Illinois Democrat made further headlines when calling for an immediate hike in the federal minimum wage to $25 per hour.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
-
And Pete Hegseth’s advice on sending in federal forces can be inferred by his support of a pastor calling for denying women the vote.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stigmatizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigmatizing. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
