destigmatize

American  

[dee-stig-muh-tahyz] / diˈstɪg məˌtaɪz /

verb (used with object)

1. to remove the social stigma or censure from (a person or group, or the characteristic or condition associated with them).

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Explanation

To destigmatize something is to erase any sense of shame, scandal, or embarrassment that's commonly associated with it. A celebrity can help destigmatize a disease by talking about their own experience with it. Stigmatizing means unfairly stereotyping or labeling a person, characteristic, or situation so that society develops a negative view of them. There can be a stigma associated with mental illness, divorce, poverty, and addiction, marking them with a kind of shame. Destigmatizing people or conditions involves changing the way others think about them, replacing the stigma with a sense of normalcy. Destigmatize comes from de-, "not," and the Greek root stigma, "tattoo mark or brand."

Example Sentences

At Microsoft, Rose brought in outside experts and organized workshops to destigmatize failure and end internal rivalries, according to the 2024 Harvard Business case study.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

Trans bodies are beautiful, and this kind of character creator really helps to destigmatize bodies like mine, and those of my friends and our wider community.

From Slate • Oct. 1, 2025

“The intention behind the Discord, similar to the overall mission, is for people to feel less alone and to destigmatize layoffs. And also to have some fun and maybe make some friends.”

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2025

The things we all go through as teenagers — from a mental health journey she’s done her best to destigmatize by actually talking about it, to her changing taste in makeup.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2024

Dr. Bergman’s group sought to destigmatize SIDS, support grieving parents and raise money for research.

From New York Times • Nov. 30, 2023