marginalize

[mahr-juh-nl-ahyz]

See more synonyms for marginalize on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), mar·gin·al·ized, mar·gin·al·iz·ing.

to place in a position of marginal importance, influence, or power: the government's attempts to marginalize criticism and restore public confidence.

Also especially British, mar·gin·al·ise.

Origin of marginalize

1825–35 for an earlier sense; marginal + -ize

Related formsmar·gin·al·i·za·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for marginalize

demean, deprecate, criticize, disparage, diminish, belittle, depreciate, dismiss, abuse, smear, vilify, defame, discount

Examples from the Web for marginalize

Contemporary Examples of marginalize

We must, however, remain vigilant in our efforts to marginalize the voices of intolerance.
Texans Attack ‘Muslim Weather’
Dean Obeidallah
March 17, 2014
The NFL did its best to discredit and marginalize Omalu's discovery.
This Book Will Stop You Watching Football
Kevin Fixler
October 8, 2013
We can no longer afford to marginalize ourselves as a party.
Republicans Face ‘New Reality’ in Washington as the Fiscal Cliff Approaches
Howard Kurtz
November 28, 2012
Netanyahu uses Iran to marginalize the Palestinian issue and place a check on President Obama.
Wiping Palestinians Off the Agenda
Yousef Munayyer
October 4, 2012
“I thought it was going to be hard to marginalize two candidates, Ron Paul and myself,” Johnson says.
Gary Johnson Thinks Mitt Romney Is Out to Get Him
Paul Alexander
September 14, 2012

British Dictionary definitions for marginalize

marginalize

marginalise

verb

(tr) to relegate to the fringes, out of the mainstream; make seem unimportantvarious economic assumptions marginalize women

Derived Formsmarginalization or marginalisation, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for marginalize

1832, "to make marginal notes," from marginal + -ize. The meaning "force into a position of powerlessness" attested by 1929. Related: Marginalized; marginalizing.