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

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

From Literature

My research shows that health injustice is most pronounced among the most marginalized — immigrants, people of color, the poor.

From Salon

The shop is devoted to highlighting banned books and uplifting marginalized authors, all from an inviting, thoughtfully designed space that practically insists you linger.

From Salon

In an entertainment industry that rewards cheap gimmicks and surface-level solidarity with marginalized people, JOP’s cutting realness is a cornerstone of his identity as an artist.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s devastating to see people of a marginalized community in Altadena be completely ignored,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deprecate
• diminish
• disparage
• downplay