stigmas

noun

variants or stigmata
plural of stigma
as in stains
a mark of guilt or disgrace in "The Scarlet Letter," Hester Prynne bore the stigma of adultery

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stigmas Courtesy of WorldSkills Is one of the world’s most pernicious social stigmas finally lifting? — The Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Oct. 2026 Dating with a pet — any pet — brings with it obstacles, but our cat stigmas aren’t helping. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Each flower must be picked and carefully dissected to remove three tiny red threads, known as stigmas. — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 This initiative led to crucial, culturally sensitive resources for Asian families while breaking down long-standing stigmas surrounding dementia. — Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026 The whole project ties together as a powerful critique of modern mental health stigmas and sexism, as history's witch hunts were byproducts of multiple layers of prejudice and misunderstanding. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026 Social-media platforms are filled with short-form videos that clumsily grapple with stigmas surrounding height supremacy. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 4 June 2026 Despite the mountain of research supporting these interventions, stigmas and biases remain. — Karen R. Studer, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026 Once again, Reuben can jumpstart dialogue and break down stigmas through her work. — Cristina Velocci, Flow Space, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stigmas
  1. stains
  2. blots
Noun
  • They’re engineered to be both soft and sturdy with open-cell foam that doesn’t scratch but does whisk away lipstick marks and dried-on Merlot stains.
    — Editors of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Recent photos of the inside appear to show puddles and stains from water damage and char marks from fire.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of stains
Noun
  • Dabbing the cloth in rubbing alcohol, working away the dirty blots on the glass, waiting for the haze in my head to focus, and a new line to come to me.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
  • One of the few blots on last summer’s Leeds copybook.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 26 May 2026
Definition of blots

Browse Nearby Words

stigma
stigmas
stigmatize
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Cite this Entry

“Stigmas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stigmas. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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