stigmatize
verb
stig·ma·tize
ˈstig-mə-ˌtīz 
stigmatized; stigmatizing; stigmatizes
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
Michele CookeThe 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
MacKenzie TastanAlcohol use disorder (AUD) and other substance use problems are considered diseases like any other, but are stigmatized as moral failure by many.—Marcelo Campos
Marcelo Campos
b
archaic
: brand
2
: to mark with stigmata
Examples of stigmatize in a Sentence
a legal system that stigmatizes juveniles as criminals
Recent Examples on the Web
Hirsch said there’s already shame surrounding BV, and categorizing BV as an STI may further stigmatize the condition.
—Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 12 Mar. 2025
Critics of Trump and Musk hope to discourage and stigmatize purchases of vehicles from Tesla, the world’s most valuable automaker.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
Critics of Trump and Musk hope to discourage and stigmatize purchases of Tesla, the electric car company that is the world’s most valuable automaker.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
Against a public perception that drug use is endemic to homeless camps, service providers and advocates see an exaggerated reaction to open drug use on the street that stigmatizes the majority of homeless people who do not use drugs.
—Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stigmatize
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Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 12 Mar. 2025
Critics of Trump and Musk hope to discourage and stigmatize purchases of vehicles from Tesla, the world’s most valuable automaker.
—Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
Critics of Trump and Musk hope to discourage and stigmatize purchases of Tesla, the electric car company that is the world’s most valuable automaker.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
Against a public perception that drug use is endemic to homeless camps, service providers and advocates see an exaggerated reaction to open drug use on the street that stigmatizes the majority of homeless people who do not use drugs.
—Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stigmatize
Cite this Entry
“Stigmatize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stigmatize. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stigmatize
verb
stig·ma·tize
ˈstig-mə-ˌtīz
stigmatized; stigmatizing
: to mark with a stigma
especially
: to describe or identify as disgraceful
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