stigma
n. C / Un. a strong feeling in society that a certain situation, illness, or choice is something to be ashamed of. It makes people feel judged for things they often cannot control.
n. a mark of disgrace or strong social disapproval associated with a specific circumstance, quality, or person. It frequently describes the negative societal perception of marginalized statuses or health conditions.
There is still a stigma attached to asking for help with money.
The new public health campaign aims to reduce the stigma around mental illness so that more people feel comfortable seeking therapy.
Despite decades of progressive legislation, the stigma of bankruptcy continues to haunt entrepreneurs, often deterring them from taking the calculated risks necessary for innovation.
From Latin stigma, from Ancient Greek στίγμα (stígma, “mark of slavery or disgrace”), from στίζω (stízō, “to mark”). Closely related to stigme, and distantly related to stick.
From Byzantine Greek στίγμα (stígma), likely coined by analogy with σίγμα (sígma).
Often followed by the prepositions 'of', 'around', or 'attached to'. Uncountable when referring to the general social phenomenon; countable when denoting specific instances of disgrace.