stigmatize

verb

stig·​ma·​tize ˈstig-mə-ˌtīz 

stigmatized; stigmatizing; stigmatizes

transitive verb

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

The 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

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and other substance use problems are considered diseases like any other, but are stigmatized as moral failure by many.

—Marcelo Campos

b

archaic : brand

2

: to mark with stigmata

stigmatization

ˌstig-mə-tə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Examples of stigmatize in a Sentence

a legal system that stigmatizes juveniles as criminals

Recent Examples on the Web

Depression rates, for example, may be higher in winter seasons or certain cultures may view mental illness as stigmatized leading to fewer disclosures of negative emotions on social media. —Ellen Choi, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024

But the presidential son now walks free while the politically unconnected Jan. 6 defendants bear stigmatizing criminal records for life or languish in prison for much lesser offenses, most of which had no victims or consequences. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

This refusal to stigmatize characters is the hallmark of Baker’s art. —Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Oct. 2024

Mental health care is a conversation topic that has been stigmatized for years among veterans, multiple experts said during a Veterans Day panel at Indiana University Northwest. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Kids Definition

stigmatize

verb

stig·​ma·​tize ˈstig-mə-ˌtīz 

stigmatized; stigmatizing

: to mark with a stigma

especially : to describe or identify as disgraceful