What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stigmatized
Example
People living with HIV/AIDS are often stigmatized and face discrimination. [stigmatized: adjective]
Example
Mental illness is still stigmatized in many cultures, leading to shame and isolation. [stigmatized: verb]
shame
Example
I felt a deep sense of shame after lying to my friend. [shame: noun]
Example
The politician was shamed by the media for his unethical behavior. [shamed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shame is more commonly used than stigmatized in everyday language. Shame is a common emotion that people experience in their daily lives, while stigmatized is a more specific term used in discussions of social justice and equality.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stigmatized and shame?
Both stigmatized and shame are formal words that are used in serious discussions and academic writing. However, stigmatized is more commonly used in academic and social justice contexts, while shame is used in a wider range of contexts, including personal conversations and literature.
