Synonyms for stigma
Most common
All synonyms
Noun
1. Stain — an indication of infamy or disgrace. A permanent identity mark branded, cut or tattooed onto the skin…
stain, brand, mark, disgrace, slur, infamy, dishonor US, dishonour UK, reproach, blemish, note, blot, taint, tarnish, smear, discredit, smirch
Other
flower, pterostigma, summit dated, astigmia dated, stigmate dated
Definitions
- n. 1
An indication of infamy or disgrace. A permanent identity mark branded, cut or tattooed onto the skin, typically given to slaves, criminals and traitors.
Related words
- Word family
- stigmatic stigmatize
- Other spellings
- astigmatism stigmat stigmatism
Forms
- Plural
- stigmas → stains, brands, marks, disgraces…
Choose the right word
Figuratively, a blemish comes from one's own ill-doing; a brand or stigma is inflicted by others; as, the brand of infamy.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- disgrace What you did brought disgrace on the whole class.
- slur His sexist slur was broadcasted across the country.
- dishonor We dishonor the living and venerate the dead.
- infamy Hatred, infamy and slander have not conquered my spirit.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| stigma | rising | |
| disgrace | steady | |
| slur | rising | |
| dishonor | rising | |
| infamy | rising | |
| pterostigma | falling |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- mark1, note1, slur1, blot1
- 5 letters
- brand1, stain1, smear1, taint1
- 6 letters
- flower2, summit2, infamy3, smirch
- 7 letters
- blemish2, tarnish2
- 8 letters
- disgrace2, dishonor3, reproach2, astigmia, stigmate
- 9 letters
- discredit3, dishonour
- 11 letters
- pterostigma
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (flower2 = 2 syllables).