Meaning & use

stigmatize

verb·Academic

Last updated

To describe or view a person, group, or behavior as shameful or worthy of disapproval.

See it in a sentence

Mental illness was long stigmatized, which kept many people from seeking help.

The media coverage stigmatized the entire neighborhood based on the actions of a few.

A note on using this word

Almost always used in the passive voice ("stigmatized by," "is stigmatized") to describe how society labels something negatively.

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

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