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
Strawberries also highlights the various challenges that foreign fruit pickers have encountered in real-life trials, from language barriers and religious and cultural differences to the fear of being stigmatized back home.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Stating it from federal authority stigmatizes depression treatment and discourages people from seeking care.
—Jonathan Slater, STAT, 13 May 2026
On board the cruise ship, some Spanish passengers have voiced concern about being stigmatized.
—Arkansas Online, 10 May 2026
Meanwhile onboard the cruise ship, some Spanish passengers have voiced concern about being stigmatized.
—Iain Sullivan, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stigmatize
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Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
Stating it from federal authority stigmatizes depression treatment and discourages people from seeking care.
—Jonathan Slater, STAT, 13 May 2026
On board the cruise ship, some Spanish passengers have voiced concern about being stigmatized.
—Arkansas Online, 10 May 2026
Meanwhile onboard the cruise ship, some Spanish passengers have voiced concern about being stigmatized.
—Iain Sullivan, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stigmatize
Cite this Entry
“Stigmatize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stigmatize. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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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