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

“But now I have, like, a scarlet letter and the medical stuff so even if I could go to work, my face would be doing gymnastics.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2024

“It is far worse than any scarlet letter could ever be,” he added.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 3, 2024

“She will be someone who will live the rest of her life with this scarlet letter on her,” said Barry P. Beck, a lawyer for Ms. Toebbe.

From New York Times • Aug. 16, 2022

Is Hester Prynne the less miserable, think you, for that scarlet letter on her breast?”

From The Scarlet Letter by Foote, Mary Hallock