stigmatize

[ stig-muh-tahyz ]

verb (used with object)

stigmatized, stigmatizing.

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 Word Forms

• 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

“For patients who are seriously concerned about being stigmatized because of their mental illness, the alternative might be between being cured by an AI and not being cured at all.”

From Salon

The Human Rights Campaign has called the executive order "a cruel effort by anti-LGBTQ+ hate groups like the Alliance Defending Freedom to further stigmatize and discriminate against LGBTQ+ people across the country."

From Salon

She observed that autistic people are an easy group to stigmatize, and “are more likely to have negative judgments made about them based on small interactions.”

From Salon

Her academic interests are based not on an imagined Cherokee identity, but as the child of an unmarried interracial couple who was bullied and stigmatized for her race, gender and sex.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s part of a pretty long history of those tools being used to stigmatize abortion,” he said.

From Salon

Quiz

Q: Fill in the blank: "Salchipapas" is a portmanteau of the Spanish words for ______ and ______.

• salt and potatoes
• sausage and French fries
• sardines and French fries

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