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
Overall, obesity has been so stigmatized that, along with the stigma, it has been considered a taboo topic to discuss – because discussing it often highlights the pain and shame that some people with obesity internalize.
—Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024
The Truancy Reduction Program, administered by county circuit courts, is a proactive alternative to punitive measures, such as having parents prosecuted in criminal court or stigmatizing the child.
—Karl Bickel, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2024
Many academic scientists and engineers felt stigmatized by these investigations because they were born in China or were of Chinese descent.
—L. Rafael Reif, Foreign Affairs, 13 Sep. 2023
China has long had a conservative culture that stigmatizes homosexuality, though it was decriminalized in 1997.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for stigmatize 
Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024
The Truancy Reduction Program, administered by county circuit courts, is a proactive alternative to punitive measures, such as having parents prosecuted in criminal court or stigmatizing the child.
—Karl Bickel, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2024
Many academic scientists and engineers felt stigmatized by these investigations because they were born in China or were of Chinese descent.
—L. Rafael Reif, Foreign Affairs, 13 Sep. 2023
China has long had a conservative culture that stigmatizes homosexuality, though it was decriminalized in 1997.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for stigmatize
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stigmatize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near stigmatize
Cite this Entry
“Stigmatize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stigmatize. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
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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