marginalize

verb

mar·​gin·​al·​ize ˈmär-jə-nᵊl-ˌīz 

ˈmärj-nə-ˌlīz

marginalized; marginalizing

transitive verb

: to relegate (see relegate sense 2) to an unimportant or powerless position within a society or group

We are protesting policies that marginalize women.

marginalization

ˌmär-jə-nᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌmärj-nə-lə-

noun

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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

The program helps people from marginalized groups.

Recent Examples on the Web

For years, many groups have been marginalized and denied voting rights, and had to fight so the current generation of U.S. citizens can cast their votes. —Tausif Sanzum, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

For many crypto voters, financial inclusion remains central; nearly 75% view digital assets as a means to create economic opportunity, particularly for communities historically marginalized by traditional finance. —Tonya Evans, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Watch on Deadline Supported projects have roots in 12 countries: Canada, Chile, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Germany, North Macedonia, Mexico, Peru, Spain, the UK, and the U.S. 80% of the directors are from communities that have been traditionally marginalized. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2024

Behind the scenes, eight current and one former employee who spoke with WIRED allege, Cisco has marginalized its internal Palestinian advocacy groups and their hundreds of members. —Paresh Dave, WIRED, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

marginalize

verb

mar·​gin·​al·​ize ˈmärj-nəl-ˌīz 

-ən-ᵊl-

marginalized; marginalizing

: to remove to or keep in a position without influence in a society or group

marginalization

ˌmärj-nəl-ə-ˈzā-shən 

-ən-ᵊl-

noun