1
as in racism
the belief that certain races of people are by birth and nature superior to others
the racialism of some of the nation's founders seems to contradict their professed belief that "all men are created equal"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in prejudice
hatred of or discrimination against a person or persons based on their race
an ugly incident of racialism that campus police are investigating
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of racialism
Internally, the adoption of multi-racialism as a policy was designed to diminish—even if, initially, imperceptibly—the social and economic influence of white South Africans, and to displace them, at least partly, by the local petite bourgeoisie.
—
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 15 Aug. 2025
In our day, he is reviled for his imperialism, racialism, and even his humorously excessive appreciation for a fine cigar.
—Peter J. Travers, National Review, 7 Dec. 2021
Today, certain people talk about racialism, indigenism, and decolonial theories, but beneath these terms hateful and fanatical agitators want a race war.
—Harrison Stetler, The New Republic, 24 May 2021
King never seriously entertained the utopian ideas of Black emigration or the romantic racialism of Muhammad’s Black nationalism.
—Brandon M. Terry, The New York Review of Books, 11 Mar. 2021
Post-racialism is the promise of working to move beyond the perils of the Black condition in America, an achievement of Black acceleration and exceptionalism; when transcending race was aspirational and thought of to be wholly possible.
—Taylor Renee Aldridge, Harper's BAZAAR, 23 Feb. 2021
Hawley describes Roosevelt as driven by a combination of warrior republicanism and crude racialism, which at times led him to adopt autocratic racial theories and dreams of imperial conquest.
—Zaid Jilani, Washington Examiner, 31 Dec. 2020
This seed of scientific racialism waxed and reached its peaks in the years around 1900, before waning in the 20th century.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 24 Aug. 2011
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 15 Aug. 2025
In our day, he is reviled for his imperialism, racialism, and even his humorously excessive appreciation for a fine cigar.
—Peter J. Travers, National Review, 7 Dec. 2021
Today, certain people talk about racialism, indigenism, and decolonial theories, but beneath these terms hateful and fanatical agitators want a race war.
—Harrison Stetler, The New Republic, 24 May 2021
King never seriously entertained the utopian ideas of Black emigration or the romantic racialism of Muhammad’s Black nationalism.
—Brandon M. Terry, The New York Review of Books, 11 Mar. 2021
Post-racialism is the promise of working to move beyond the perils of the Black condition in America, an achievement of Black acceleration and exceptionalism; when transcending race was aspirational and thought of to be wholly possible.
—Taylor Renee Aldridge, Harper's BAZAAR, 23 Feb. 2021
Hawley describes Roosevelt as driven by a combination of warrior republicanism and crude racialism, which at times led him to adopt autocratic racial theories and dreams of imperial conquest.
—Zaid Jilani, Washington Examiner, 31 Dec. 2020
This seed of scientific racialism waxed and reached its peaks in the years around 1900, before waning in the 20th century.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 24 Aug. 2011
Recent Examples of Synonyms for racialism
Noun
-
Good parenting can help protect kids from racism’s harmful effects, but what works in person might not work online.—
Alvin Thomas,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Cook’s broader economic research on inequality, innovation, and racism’s effect on invention brings policy relevance that might otherwise go overlooked.—
Kori Hale,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
When Atsu was first revealed as the game’s protagonist, reactionaries jumped to disavow the sequel, citing bad-faith reasoning that failed to hide their prejudices.—
Alyssa Mercante,
Rolling Stone,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The motion was filed without prejudice, meaning DHS could choose to pursue Hernandez’s removal in the future.—
Julia Marnin,
Sacbee.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Known as the Harlem of the West, the Douglas Hotel was complete with the Creole Palace nightclub where Black performers in the 1930s and ’40s could perform during the years of segregation.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Despite facing racial segregation and discrimination, Allen became the first in her family to finish high school and was one of the first Black women to graduate from Nazareth College.—
Matthew Glowicki,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Racialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/racialism. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share