marginalized
mar-juh-nuh-LYZD
/ˈmɑːr.dʒɪ.nə.laɪzd/
Pushed to the edges of society, power, or decision-making processes; relegated to an unimportant position.
Implies active structural exclusion from economic, political, or social influence.
The story behind the word. In medieval manuscripts, scribes wrote commentary in the 'margins'—the literal blank edges outside the main text. By the early 20th century, sociologists borrowed this image to describe human beings pushed out of the central text of society to live on its literal and figurative edges.
Word relationships
- disenfranchised: Disenfranchised specifically highlights the loss of political rights or voting power, whereas marginalized covers general economic, social, and cultural exclusion.
- sidelined: Sidelined is more informal and often temporary, while marginalized denotes persistent structural status.
- empowered: Empowered individuals hold agency and authority.
- integrated: Integrated groups are fully included in central governance.
Commonly confused with
- vulnerable: Marginalized describes political/social status at the fringes; vulnerable describes susceptibility to harm.
Word family
- marginalize (verb): To relegate to an insignificant position.
- marginalization (noun): The act or process of pushing a group to the fringes.
Collocations
- marginalized communities
- marginalized populations
- marginalized voices
- feel marginalized
Example sentences
- "Marginalized groups are often excluded from environmental decision-making processes." Sociological critique of development
- "The new transit route was designed after consulting with historically marginalized residents." Community advocacy
Memory hook
Pushed to the MARGINS of the page where the main story isn't happening. Pushed to the edges, out of the center.
When not to use
Do not use merely to describe someone feeling lonely or shy in a room; it describes systemic social positioning.
Fun facts
- Sociologist Robert E. Park first coined the term 'marginal man' in 1928 to describe people living between two cultures.
Related words
Explore more words
marginalization, marginalize, underprivileged, Ostracism, relegate, alienate
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