marginalize
verb
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Marginalized Writing vs. Marginalized People
Marginalize provides a striking case of how thoroughly the figurative use of a word can take over the literal one. The original (and now obsolete) meaning of this word, “to write notes in the margin of,” is analogous to the still-familiar noun marginalia, “marginal notes or embellishments." A margin is, of course, the blank space surrounding the text in a book. Just prior to 1970, marginalize took on the sense that is most commonly encountered today, “to relegate to an unimportant or powerless position” (that is, to the metaphorical margins of society). This use of the verb can be found as far back as 1968; an article in The Los Angeles Times from June 20th of that year reports, “[T]he Negro was kept aside, marginalized, thus composing in its large majority the chronically poor.” In its newer sense, marginalize has assumed a much more prominent place in the vocabulary than it once had.
Examples of marginalize in a Sentence
Meera Senthilingam, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
According to Gould, San Antonio experienced a power shift in the aftermath of the battle, with the site roughly marking an east-west divide between white residents and those of Mexican descent, who had become marginalized as the city grew.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
Proponents of bans argue that biological differences create unfair advantages in competition, while critics argue that these policies exclude and marginalize transgender athletes.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Inclusion is the practice of providing opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized.
—Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for marginalize
Cite this Entry
“Marginalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marginalize. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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marginalize
verb
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