social stigma
Society's negative label
Social stigma is the disapproval or discrimination directed at someone based on a characteristic that sets them apart—mental illness, poverty, disability, sexual orientation, or membership in a disfavored group.
The stigma attaches not just to the condition but to the person: The social stigma of addiction kept him from seeking treatment.
Unlike personal shame, social stigma operates collectively, marking certain people as lesser or contaminated in the eyes of their community.
Deliberately avoiding someone
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
- outcastShunned, rejected person
- pariahRejected, shunned person
alienation · banishment · cold shoulder · blacklisting · untouchable · leper · exile · avoidance
Unfair inclination or prejudice
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
- stereotypingOversimplified group-based judgments
inequality · bigotry · intolerance · racism · sexism · homophobia · ageism · classism
Loss of dignity
- disgraceLoss of honor
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
- dishonorLoss of respect
- guiltMoral self-reproach
self-blame · degradation · disrepute · infamy · scandal · loss of face · mark of shame · scarlet letter
Unfavorable opinion expressed
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- moral panicIrrational collective fear wave
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
finger-pointing · gossip · whispers · side-eye · stares · pity · patronizing · assumptions
Not allowed
- unmentionableToo shameful to discuss
- unspeakableBeyond verbal expression
- proscribedFormally forbidden by authority
- off-limitsProhibited from access
censored · hushed · silenced · closeted · hidden · secret · denial · euphemism
shunning
Deliberately avoiding someone
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
- outcastShunned, rejected person
pariah · alienation · banishment · cold shoulder · blacklisting · untouchable · leper · exile · avoidance · distancing
bias
Unfair inclination or prejudice
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
stereotyping · inequality · bigotry · intolerance · racism · sexism · homophobia · ageism · classism · ableism
humiliation
Loss of dignity
- disgraceLoss of honor
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
- dishonorLoss of respect
guilt · self-blame · degradation · disrepute · infamy · scandal · loss of face · mark of shame · scarlet letter · taint
disapproval
Unfavorable opinion expressed
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- moral panicIrrational collective fear wave
blame · finger-pointing · gossip · whispers · side-eye · stares · pity · patronizing · assumptions · misconceptions
forbidden
Not allowed
- unmentionableToo shameful to discuss
- unspeakableBeyond verbal expression
- proscribedFormally forbidden by authority
off-limits · censored · hushed · silenced · closeted · hidden · secret · denial · euphemism · coded language
- disgracedishonor, disgrace, downfall, scandal, infamy
- ableismableism, prejudice, discrimination, exclusion, marginalization
- drinkingbooze, liquor, guzzling, gulping, chugging
- povertypoverty line, poor, poverty rate, impoverished, generational poverty
- ethical consequencesguilt, shame, regret, remorse, blame
- sufferingagony, anguish, misery, pain, torment
social stigmaprestige
Reputation commanding admiration
honor · esteem · high regard · reverence · admiration
social stigmasocial status
Rank in society
respectability · good reputation · elite status · social capital · prominence
social stigmasocial acceptance
Being welcomed by peers
social inclusion · normalization · destigmatization · belonging · celebration
social, society, sociable, stigma, socialism, antisocial, socialist, socialize, socially