stigmatize

verb

stig·​ma·​tize ˈstig-mə-ˌtīz 

stigmatized; stigmatizing; stigmatizes

transitive verb

1

a

: to describe or regard (something, such as a characteristic or group of people) in a way that shows strong disapproval

"… Academic ableism accentuates ability and stigmatizes any weakness. …"

—Michele Cooke

The campaign strives to educate individuals and communities about mental illness to the point where they understand it well enough not to stigmatize it, which is similar to what's happened with physical illnesses over time.

—MacKenzie Tastan

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and other substance use problems are considered diseases like any other, but are stigmatized as moral failure by many.

—Marcelo Campos

b

archaic : brand

2

: to mark with stigmata

stigmatization

ˌstig-mə-tə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Examples of stigmatize in a Sentence

a legal system that stigmatizes juveniles as criminals

Recent Examples on the Web

Cancer was particularly stigmatized at that time in Japan, where doctors often wouldn’t even tell dying patients what was killing them. —Maria Aspan, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2024

African American English and Black ASL are stigmatized. —USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024

Within their rural, predominantly masculine culture that values stoicism and self-sufficiency, mental health and mental illness remain heavily stigmatized. —Sophia Liang, The Courier-Journal, 27 Feb. 2024

Body Acne Steps Out From the Shadows Acne is a skin issue for 50 million Americans, and yet openly discussing breakouts, or asking for product recommendations, is still stigmatized, especially for blemishes on the back, chest, or butt. —Hannah Baxter, Allure, 5 Mar. 2024

Our model stigmatizes the most precarious and does not respect our fundamental right to food. —Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2024

Alice Weidel, the party’s co-leader, said in a recent interview with the Financial Times that the AfD’s views were unfairly stigmatized and criticized the methods Correctiv used to infiltrate the gathering. —Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 23 Jan. 2024

These algorithms are designed specifically to stigmatize people like me who need medication for ADHD. —Torie Bosch, STAT, 13 Jan. 2024

Flu-ification also threatens to further stigmatize long COVID. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Kids Definition

stigmatize

verb

stig·​ma·​tize ˈstig-mə-ˌtīz 

stigmatized; stigmatizing

: to mark with a stigma

especially : to describe or identify as disgraceful