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
The new term is not only less stigmatized than UFOs, but is general enough to reflect that many of the objects in question are seen not just in the air, but the water.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
In this high-stakes climate, failure is not stigmatized — it’s normalized.
—Rchin Bari, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Because hair loss is already stigmatized and shamed.
—Alison Mann, SELF, 5 Sep. 2025
It is highly stigmatized despite its prevalence and many who are going through menopause must suffer in silence.
—Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stigmatize
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Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
In this high-stakes climate, failure is not stigmatized — it’s normalized.
—Rchin Bari, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Because hair loss is already stigmatized and shamed.
—Alison Mann, SELF, 5 Sep. 2025
It is highly stigmatized despite its prevalence and many who are going through menopause must suffer in silence.
—Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 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 13 Sep. 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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