marginalization

¹ American  

[mahr-juh-nl-ahy-zey-shuhn] / ˌmɑr dʒə nl aɪˈzeɪ ʃən /

especially British, marginalisation

noun

1. the act of placing a person or thing in a position of lesser importance, influence, or power; the state of being placed in such a position.

   The social marginalization of overweight adolescents may further reduce their self-esteem and increase depression.

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marginalization ² American  

[mahr-juhn-uhl-uhz-ay-shuhn, -ahyz-ay-shuhn] / ˌmɑr dʒən əl əzˈeɪ ʃən, -aɪzˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of marginalizing a person, group, or idea.

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Etymology

Origin of marginalization

marginaliz(e) + -ation ( def. )

Example Sentences

The author, an older person, embraces talking to strangers to regain lost social connections and counter feelings of marginalization.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

“Broken Horses” shares a title with her memoir and confronts her upbringing and the marginalization she’s faced throughout her life.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2025

Black women especially carry that burden and pain from the double marginalization of gender and race in America — and their roles as leaders in the long Black Freedom Struggle.

From Salon • Jan. 21, 2025

L.A.’s Black day parties fill a need for belonging and for partying in peace without discrimination or marginalization.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 3, 2024

While marginalization may sound far preferable to exploitation, it may prove to be even more dangerous.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander