Skip to main content
to stigmatize

to stigmatize

24 7.5
Treat someone as shameful and not worthy of respect
  • verb
  • /ˈstɪɡməˌtaɪz/
  • US
translation icon : estigmatizar
  • Many people still stigmatize those who struggle with mental health issues, making it harder for them to seek help.
  • stigmatizing label
  • feel stigmatized
  • socially stigmatized

Mental health is stigmatized in our country.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Once in a hospital, a patient is stigmatized by the label of mental illness.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Some mothers said they are stigmatized by community members for giving birth to a child who suffers physically.

    Academic text (2008)
  • At least some social groups stigmatize some private behavior.

  • It's not about stigmatizing anyone at all.

  • We don't have to stigmatize areas or people anymore.

  • Finally, all of the mothers reported feeling stigmatized by employment health insurance plans.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Furthermore, among individuals with AIDS, specific risk groups are stigmatized more than others.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Thus, unemployed individuals may be more likely to feel stigmatized if they live in middle-class areas of low unemployment.

    Academic text (1995)
  • People with HIV infections should not be discriminated against, should not be stigmatized, and deserve all human rights.

    Academic text (1993)
  • In recent years, religious leaders and organizations have increasingly refrained from issuing stigmatizing statements concerning people with HIV/AIDS.

    Academic text (2008)

Synonyms

to humiliate
vsto stigmatize
  • Offensive
414 6.1

Make someone feel very ashamed and foolish, often in front of others

goes beyond personal shame to mark someone as unacceptable socially
to denounce
vsto stigmatize
  • Formal
115 6.8

Publicly criticize someone or something strongly

imparts a lasting social shame rather than only formal condemnation
to demonize
vsto stigmatize
  • Literature
77 7.1

Make a person, group, or thing seem evil and dangerous, often unfairly

casts social disgrace broadly rather than focusing on evil or danger
to discredit
vsto stigmatize
66 6.3

To harm someone's reputation so others stop trusting them

labels someone disgraceful morally rather than only undermining trust
to disgrace
vsto stigmatize
62 4.5

To make someone lose respect or honor by doing something shameful

frames someone as unacceptable to others rather than only causing shame
to degrade
vsto stigmatize
55 5.1

To treat someone so they feel ashamed or less respected

goes further by marking the person unacceptable or shameful to others
to brand
vsto stigmatize
53 4.1

To publicly label someone in a negative way

casts general disgrace on someone rather than focusing on a single label
to demean
vsto stigmatize
53 6.8

To make someone feel less respected or important

portrays someone as socially unacceptable rather than only reducing dignity
to dishonor
vsto stigmatize
  • US
48 5.3

To make someone or something lose respect by bad action

assigns a wider social rejection rather than only loss of honor
to denigrate
vsto stigmatize
48 7.8

To say bad things about someone without a good reason to make them seem less important

treats someone as disgraceful publicly rather than only making unfair remarks
to belittle
vsto stigmatize
45 5.0

To make someone or something seem not important

labels someone as unacceptable or shameful rather than only as unimportant
to mark
vsto stigmatize
44 8.4

Publicly accuse someone so people think badly of them

treats someone as disgraceful in general social judgement rather than formal accusation
to vilify
vsto stigmatize
43 7.9

To say or write bad things about someone to harm them

marks someone as socially unacceptable rather than primarily using abuse
to crucify
vsto stigmatize
  • NSFW
32 8.0

To criticize someone or something very harshly, often in public

marks social unacceptability rather than focusing solely on extreme punishment
to disparage
vsto stigmatize
28 7.7

To speak badly about someone or something to show little respect

frames the person as disgraceful to society rather than only showing disrespect
to deride
vsto stigmatize
26 7.8

To make fun of someone in a cruel way

casts broad disgrace rather than only mocking or contemptuous ridicule
to delegitimize
vsto stigmatize
  • Formal
12 7.7

To make people think someone or something is not acceptable

casts moral or social disgrace rather than focusing on legitimacy alone
to pillory
vsto stigmatize
7 9.3

To criticize someone publicly to make them feel ashamed

labels the person as socially disgraceful rather than only exposing them to scorn
to derogate
vsto stigmatize
1 8.4

Say or do things that make someone seem less respected

focuses on social disgrace and rejection rather than mere worth reduction
to shaming
vsto stigmatize
3.9

To make someone feel ashamed or embarrassed in front of other people

labels them as disgraceful to society rather than focusing on their shame feeling
to pillorize
vsto stigmatize
  • US
9.9

To say bad things about someone in public to make them feel ashamed

casts a general social disgrace rather than only harsh public ridicule
to anathemize
vsto stigmatize
  • Formal
9.9

To say in public that someone or something is evil and should be avoided

marks social disgrace broadly rather than only issuing a formal curse

Antonyms

532 2.8

A particular part or detail of something

to validate
  • Formal
87 3.9

To make something officially acceptable by showing proof

How Stigmatized

to ostracize
  • US
31 7.7
to demonize
  • Literature
77 7.1
to vilify
43 7.9
to stigmatize
  • US
24 7.5
to denounce
  • Formal
115 6.8
to criticize
701 3.3

Surface Forms

stigmatize infinitive
stigmatized past participle
stigmatizing present participle
stigmatizes third person singular

Morphology

stigmatize = stigma (transparent) = stigma + ize

The verb is formed productively from the noun 'stigma' with the suffix '-ize' meaning 'to make or treat as', so the meaning directly derives from the base.

Etymology

Stigmatize comes from the Greek word stigma, which means 'mark' or 'brand'. Long ago people who broke the law were given a visible mark, so to stigmatize someone today is to 'mark' them with shame or treat them as disgraceful.