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
Rolling Stone spoke with medical and legal experts to find out what Kennedy does — and doesn’t — have the authority to do, and why this messaging on ADHD medications from the federal government is both stigmatizing and dangerous.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2025
So powerful is this persistence that some descendants of those who were once stigmatized now do the stigmatizing.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 16 Jan. 2025
The statement said most Venezuelan migrants are decent and hard-working people and that American officials are attempting to stigmatize the country.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 11 Feb. 2025
Spotlighting the poor food choices of SNAP participants would be a distraction from these facts and would risk further stigmatizing a successful anti-hunger program.
—Benjamin Chrisinger, The Conversation, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stigmatize
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.
Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2025
So powerful is this persistence that some descendants of those who were once stigmatized now do the stigmatizing.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 16 Jan. 2025
The statement said most Venezuelan migrants are decent and hard-working people and that American officials are attempting to stigmatize the country.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 11 Feb. 2025
Spotlighting the poor food choices of SNAP participants would be a distraction from these facts and would risk further stigmatizing a successful anti-hunger program.
—Benjamin Chrisinger, The Conversation, 27 Jan. 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 15 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share