marginalize

[ mahr-juh-nl-ahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, mar·gin·al·ized, mar·gin·al·iz·ing.

1. to place in a position of minor or marginal importance, significance, relevance, or effect:

   The government is attempting to marginalize criticism and restore public confidence.

2. to isolate or exclude from the dominant culture; perceive or treat as being on the fringes of a society or group:

   All of these policies have marginalized our vulnerable sisters and brothers for their religion, skin color, or sexual orientation.

marginalize

/ ˈmɑːdʒɪnəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. tr to relegate to the fringes, out of the mainstream; make seem unimportant

   various economic assumptions marginalize women

Derived Forms

• ˌmarginaliˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• mar·gin·al·i·za·tion [mahr-j, uh, -nl-ahy-, zey, -sh, uh, n] especially British, mar·gin·al·i·sa·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of marginalize¹

First recorded in 1825–35 for an earlier sense; marginal + -ize

Example Sentences

The coalition warned, however, that doing so could “further marginalize high-risk populations and divert resources from struggling facilities while simultaneously overburdening higher-level facilities.”

From Los Angeles Times

If you're worried about the humanities on campus, the real threat right now is an ongoing movement to restructure academia to marginalize the humanities.

From Salon

We are easier to marginalize and to pacify if we fold ourselves into such tiny boxes.

From Los Angeles Times

We tend to marginalize or disregard those that do not.

From Salon

Because under such a regime, they will be made the official state religion and possess the power to marginalize and oppress any other groups who do not subscribe to their doctrines.

From Salon

Related Words

• deprecate
• diminish
• disparage
• downplay