scarlet letter
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Controversial newsmakers—Monica Lewinsky, Tonya Harding, Lorena Bobbitt among them—had the term pinioned to them like a scarlet letter, stripping away their accomplishments and leaving only scorned husks of their real selves.
From Salon • Mar. 23, 2025
Listings in these neighborhoods carry a proverbial scarlet letter as Palm Springs becomes a city of rentable homes versus nonrentable homes.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 1, 2024
The entire league knows the scarlet letter on Wentz’s scouting report: He holds the ball too dang long.
From Washington Post • Jan. 1, 2023
But a positive test result still carries a taint; like a scarlet letter declaring to the world that you have done something wrong.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2022
But, through the remainder of Hester's life, there were indications that the recluse of the scarlet letter was the object of love and interest with some inhabitant of another land.
From The Scarlet Letter by Foote, Mary Hallock
