Judy Rappaport's "The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing," about obsessive-compulsive disorder, brought this disorder out of the closet to the point where we've destigmatized it.
Source: wiktionary
Destigmatize
/diːˈstɪɡmətaɪz/
Synonyms for "destigmatize" (42 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (9)
Strong matches (12)
Related words (21)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: absolve, account for, acquit, amnesty, clear.
- Sentence evidence is available for destigmatize, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "destigmatize".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "destigmatize"
Keep "destigmatize" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "destigmatize" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "destigmatize", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "destigmatize" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Sample sentences
5 total sentences available.
Like any other literary form, pathography can be good or bad, Dr. Kramer said. When it is good, "it destigmatizes an illness. It's refreshing. It can show that depression or attention deficit disorder doesn't disqualify anyone from the full range of social behavior."
Source: wiktionary
Before we can destigmatize suicide — assuming that is what we want to do — we must acknowledge that killing oneself is still an intensely stigmatized act...
Source: wiktionary
The “untreated” part is important, because Dr. Clayton went on to become one of the leading voices for destigmatizing depression and suicide in America.
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 5 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "destigmatize"?
Closest matches include absolve, account for, acquit, amnesty, clear.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "destigmatize"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.