as in labeling
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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Recent Examples of stigmatizing
But the situation in that city has also demonstrated MAGA’s methods for stigmatizing dissent.
—
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
Those gender-specific displays can feel intimidating or stigmatizing to some men, Horvath said.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
In 2021, the actress and comedian opened up further about her addiction and the importance of de-stigmatizing the topic.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 24 Nov. 2025
But economic eligibility systems are stigmatizing and difficult to navigate, Bailin said.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
Chiefly, many doctors say the label is largely responsible for stigmatizing hormone therapy and discouraging many women from taking it and doctors from prescribing it.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 10 Nov. 2025
However, experts say juvenile delinquencies can have serious long-term consequences by disrupting children's education and stigmatizing them.
—Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Nov. 2025
Most states barely touch on the area of mental health when a person applies for a gun license due to concerns over privacy issues and stigmatizing people who have mental health issues, CNN has reported.
—Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2025
For decades, American culture has pushed college as the only path to middle-class prosperity while stigmatizing manual labor as somehow lesser work.
—Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026
Those gender-specific displays can feel intimidating or stigmatizing to some men, Horvath said.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
In 2021, the actress and comedian opened up further about her addiction and the importance of de-stigmatizing the topic.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 24 Nov. 2025
But economic eligibility systems are stigmatizing and difficult to navigate, Bailin said.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 18 Nov. 2025
Chiefly, many doctors say the label is largely responsible for stigmatizing hormone therapy and discouraging many women from taking it and doctors from prescribing it.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 10 Nov. 2025
However, experts say juvenile delinquencies can have serious long-term consequences by disrupting children's education and stigmatizing them.
—Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Nov. 2025
Most states barely touch on the area of mental health when a person applies for a gun license due to concerns over privacy issues and stigmatizing people who have mental health issues, CNN has reported.
—Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2025
For decades, American culture has pushed college as the only path to middle-class prosperity while stigmatizing manual labor as somehow lesser work.
—Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stigmatizing
Verb
-
This week, at Congress’ insistence, the Department of Justice unredacted a 2019 FBI document labeling Wexner as a co-conspirator of Epstein’s.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
11 Feb. 2026
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Toner suggests labeling each planter by size or project, and keeping them neatly organized on a shelf or workbench.—
Asia London Palomba,
The Spruce,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Entire chapters specifying how nuclear material should be secured and what sorts of physical barriers should be built to protect it have been reduced to bullet points.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Include your name, phone number and email address specifying February Writing Workshop.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Talks on branding for the hotel and residential tower are ongoing.—
Nick Wooten,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
These autocrats have watched and learned as Erdoğan has scapegoated various rival groups in his country, branding them shadowy forces unleashed by the American philanthropist George Soros.—
Kaya Genç,
The Dial,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The approximate cost of the naming rights to Memorial Stadium is unknown, but a few recent deals can give folks a vague idea of what the cost could be.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
11 Feb. 2026
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Attempts to reach the boyfriend, who the Tribune is not naming because he has not been charged, were not successful.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In District 3, which covers the southwestern San Fernando Valley including Woodland Hills, Tarzana and Reseda, City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield is terming out, leaving the field open.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
San Diego State knew other programs would come calling for its top players following a 9-4 season that represented one of the biggest turnarounds in college football.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The posts accused the teen and three of his football teammates of calling Smith’s son, who is Black, racial slurs, shooting him with BB guns and forcing him to drink their urine during a sleepover at Vann’s house.—
Jane Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stigmatizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigmatizing. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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