marginalize

American  

[mahr-juh-nl-ahyz] / ˈmɑr dʒə nlˌaɪz /

especially British, marginalise

verb (used with object)

marginalized, marginalizing

1. to place in a position of minor or marginal importance, significance, relevance, or effect.

   The government is attempting to marginalize criticism and restore public confidence.

2. to isolate or exclude from the dominant culture; perceive or treat as being on the fringes of a society or group.

   All of these policies have marginalized our vulnerable sisters and brothers for their religion, skin color, or sexual orientation.

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marginalize British  

/ ˈmɑːdʒɪnəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to relegate to the fringes, out of the mainstream; make seem unimportant

   various economic assumptions marginalize women

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Other Word Forms

• marginalization noun

Etymology

Origin of marginalize

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

Example Sentences

For his part, Martin felt Justice Department leaders had marginalized him, people familiar with his thinking said.

From The Wall Street Journal

The artist's commitment to singing in Spanish in a music industry that has historically marginalized Latino voices makes his mammoth success even more extraordinary.

From Barron's

Bad Bunny's commitment to singing in Spanish in a music industry that has historically marginalized Latino voices makes his mammoth success even more emblematic.

From Barron's

Petro, who identifies as a non-practicing Catholic, went to Catholic school and has express his admiration for "liberation theology" -- a school of Christian thought focused on uplifting the poor and marginalized.

From Barron's

Hundreds of articles flooded the screen about people who were marginalized: immigrants, refugees, people living in poverty.

From Literature

Related Words

• deprecate
• diminish
• disparage
• downplay