marginalize
verb
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Marginalized Writing vs. Marginalized People
Marginalize provides a striking case of how thoroughly the figurative use of a word can take over the literal one. The original (and now obsolete) meaning of this word, “to write notes in the margin of,” is analogous to the still-familiar noun marginalia, “marginal notes or embellishments." A margin is, of course, the blank space surrounding the text in a book. Just prior to 1970, marginalize took on the sense that is most commonly encountered today, “to relegate to an unimportant or powerless position” (that is, to the metaphorical margins of society). This use of the verb can be found as far back as 1968; an article in The Los Angeles Times from June 20th of that year reports, “[T]he Negro was kept aside, marginalized, thus composing in its large majority the chronically poor.” In its newer sense, marginalize has assumed a much more prominent place in the vocabulary than it once had.
Examples of marginalize in a Sentence
Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 May 2025
This would end up creating a vulnerable, exploitable and marginalized underclass as bad or worse than under the Jim Crow legislation that denied civil liberties and rights to Blacks in this country.
—Thomas Wenski, Sun Sentinel, 20 May 2025
But deeply rooted stereotypes among male commanders and rank-and-file soldiers remain difficult to overcome, and women tend to be marginalized and underutilized in the armed forces, Lieutenant Kateryna and activists say.
—Maria Varenikova, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Proceeds will support therapy sessions and mental health workshops for Black and historically marginalized communities in the Sacramento region, according to the group.
—Marcus D. Smith, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for marginalize
Cite this Entry
“Marginalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marginalize. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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marginalize
verb
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