as in stain
a mark of guilt or disgrace
in "The Scarlet Letter," Hester Prynne bore the stigma of adultery
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stigma
This is the message behind the Sjout for Sjogren’s campaign, an awareness movement that Inaba hopes will help spread more knowledge about the disease and reduce stigma.
—
Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
There might be less hype—and less stigma.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Andreae hopes that reclassifying the drug reduces the stigma around cannabis products.
—Tara Lynch, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
There’s still much to discover about the biology underlying these distinctions, but research suggests that hormonal fluctuations throughout life, differences in upper airway anatomy, and even social stigmas about how women should sleep are likely at play.
—Katie Camero, SELF, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stigma
Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
There might be less hype—and less stigma.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Andreae hopes that reclassifying the drug reduces the stigma around cannabis products.
—Tara Lynch, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
There’s still much to discover about the biology underlying these distinctions, but research suggests that hormonal fluctuations throughout life, differences in upper airway anatomy, and even social stigmas about how women should sleep are likely at play.
—Katie Camero, SELF, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stigma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stigma
Noun
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The story follows an astronaut (Kirby) who is forced to make an impossible decision after an incident with her co-pilot (Pullman) leaves an indelible stain on the mission in the days leading up to lift off, setting off a tense race against the clock.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
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Regular washing prevents stains from setting into the mattress, eliminates odors, and maintains the protector's waterproof properties if applicable.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There’s a purity here, the course free from the taint of bureaucracy governing so much of the academy.—
Peter Wayne Moe,
Longreads,
26 Mar. 2026
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So long-reaching was the taint of that shame, Kentucky’s Bill Spivey died in Costa Rica, a practical exile after he not only was run out of the college game, he was banned from the NBA, too.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Family separations cause grief, confusion, attachment disruption and guilt for children, often leading to lifelong emotional and psychological suffering.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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In September 2011, Rapo was sentenced to 4 ½ years in prison after previously pleading no contest — which cannot be used as evidence of guilt in a civil matter — to second-degree manslaughter.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
What a shame if our children’s children could not be inspired by the wonders of the night sky.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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For some past residents of the Godparent Home, the shame and fractured dreams remain.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Spot Clean Stains For sweat stains, urine or spills, blot the area with a clean cloth and a mild cleaning solution.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
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The broad scenario is one in which Iran is, at best, a minor blot in the rearview mirror as America’s interests move elsewhere.—
Fintan O’Toole,
The New York Review of Books,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stigma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigma. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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