as in to label
usually disapproving
to describe or regard (something, such as a characteristic or group of people) in a way that shows strong disapproval
a legal system that stigmatizes juveniles as criminals
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stigmatize
Fernando Gonzalez, the filmmaker behind Dante, believes psychedelics are becoming less stigmatized as more Americans realize their value as legitimate medication.
—
Frederick Dreier, Outside, 22 Jan. 2026
But the situation in that city has also demonstrated MAGA’s methods for stigmatizing dissent.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
Dupes have been around for decades in beauty, but the category saw a shift when TikTok went mainstream in 2020, and opting for dupes became not only less stigmatized by consumers across income levels, but for some, even recognized as a sign of beauty savvy and know-how.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
Lesotho is poor, and AIDS is stigmatized.
—Majirata Latela, The Dial, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stigmatize
Frederick Dreier, Outside, 22 Jan. 2026
But the situation in that city has also demonstrated MAGA’s methods for stigmatizing dissent.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
Dupes have been around for decades in beauty, but the category saw a shift when TikTok went mainstream in 2020, and opting for dupes became not only less stigmatized by consumers across income levels, but for some, even recognized as a sign of beauty savvy and know-how.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 13 Jan. 2026
Lesotho is poor, and AIDS is stigmatized.
—Majirata Latela, The Dial, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stigmatize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stigmatize
Verb
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But Krishnamoorthi and Kelly have labeled her a hypocrite because of corporate contributions to other committees backing her candidacy, including the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association and Illinois Future PAC.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
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Still uncommitted, McCoy has numerous college offers, with Arkansas, Alabama, Miami and Michigan labeled as his finalists with UCLA still in the running.—
Steve Fryer,
Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Nesta also wrote on Facebook that Delgado had once donated to one of his prior campaigns, but did not specify which campaign nor the value of the donation.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2026
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No back orders, unless specified by the individual vendor.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mahan also picked up the support this week of Majority Democrats — a group formed last year that brands itself as the next-generation of leaders who are willing to break with the party status quo.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
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Our public spaces should unite communities, not brand them with the most polarizing figure of our era.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Local preservationists wanted the house, built in 1927, designated a landmark, which would prevent its demolition.—
Camila Gomez,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Mar. 2026
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In Florida, a judge recently blocked the governor’s order to designate the group as a terrorist organization.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Your discerning side notices details others miss, so name what works and what hurts before proposing adjustments that would fix the latter.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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About 15 minutes later, another 911 call comes in from a woman named Jane Kowalski, who sees Denise Lee slapping the back window of King's car and hears her screaming for help.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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One young attendee could be seen lying unconscious in vomit in an alley along West Broadway while his friend called the police.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
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Production plans call for an initial deployment of dozens of units this year, scaling to thousands annually as manufacturing capacity expands.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Rather than civic numbers, houses here are often identified by their color, position, or ceramic tiles denoting the family’s name.—
Kristina Kasparian,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2026
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To denote what the film it about yields a lengthy list of ideas that are theoretically connected.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That’s definitely the legacy Oswego East coach Ryan Velasquez leaves behind from his nine seasons leading what could be termed a still-young program.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
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You wouldn’t be termed a Black actor on the continent of Africa, right?—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stigmatize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigmatize. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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