stigmatize

[ stig-muh-tahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, stig·ma·tized, stig·ma·tiz·ing.

1. to set some mark of disgrace or infamy upon:

   The crime of the father stigmatized the whole family.

2. to mark with a stigma or brand.
3. to produce stigmata, marks, spots, or the like, on.

stigmatize

/ ˈstɪɡməˌtaɪz /

verb

1. to mark out or describe (as something bad)
2. to mark with a stigma or stigmata

Derived Forms

• ˈstigmaˌtizer, noun
• ˌstigmatiˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• stigma·ti·zation noun
• stigma·tizer noun
• de·stigma·tize verb (used with object) destigmatized destigmatizing
• un·stigma·tized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stigmatize¹

1575–85; < Medieval Latin stigmatizāre, equivalent to stigmat- ( stigmatic ) + -izāre -ize

Example Sentences

“It’s still being seen as this stigmatized street drug, which is a real mismatch with how patients are actually consuming it.”

From Salon

Advocates for homeless people say that the solution involves building more housing and that people who have no place to live are being unfairly targeted and stigmatized.

From Los Angeles Times

“To have access to these books in your family’s language is a huge thing and can open up a discussion, especially because the language has been so stigmatized in the past.”

From Los Angeles Times

“We want to look at this as helping people get rid of head lice, versus stigmatizing and saying, ‘You have to go home, you can't come back to school,’” King said.

From Salon

“Tattoos shouldn’t be stigmatized any longer. I’m tattooed and quite successful,” Brea resident Bryan Gutierrez, a senior vice president of Citizens Business Bank, wrote on Facebook.

From Los Angeles Times