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

I would say we can often move inside and outside of various forms of marginalization, but we can also exercise our own privilege, particularly when we form collectives.

From Salon • May 8, 2025

Hawaii's Native population also similarly faced cultural decimation and social and economic marginalization as Puerto Rico after the U.S. staged a coup in 1893 against the sovereign country and annexed Hawaii in 1898.

From Salon • Jan. 9, 2025

The story of marginalized people — queer people and people of color — is the story of not just cultural marginalization but legal and political oppression.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2024

Its long history and gradual marginalization made Sing Sing increasingly different from the state’s other prisons.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover