marginalize

Group 5Difficulty 1/3

Definition

(verb)
To treat a person or group as insignificant or peripheral
GRE

Example in Context

Policies that marginalize minority communities ultimately undermine the social cohesion that democratic institutions depend upon.

Synonyms

sidelineexcludepush aside

Etymology

From Latin meaning 'to make marginal', indicating treating someone as insignificant.

  • margo (Latin) — border
  • ize (Greek) — to make

Memory Aid

📏Sounds like “margin-all-size

Picture a ruler measuring people by their margins — if they’re too small, they get MARGINALIZED!

Visual Association

🚷A group of people standing outside a big circle, looking sad as they are excluded.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “marginalize” mean on the GRE?

marginalize (verb) means “To treat a person or group as insignificant or peripheral”. Policies that marginalize minority communities ultimately undermine the social cohesion that democratic institutions depend upon.

How to remember “marginalize” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “marginalize” sounds like “margin-all-size”. Picture a ruler measuring people by their margins — if they’re too small, they get MARGINALIZED!

What are synonyms for “marginalize”?

Common synonyms: sideline, exclude, push aside.