bigotry

noun

big·​ot·​ry ˈbi-gə-trē 

plural bigotries

1

: obstinate or narrow-minded adherence to one's own opinions and prejudices : the state of mind of a bigot

overcoming his own bigotry

Religious bigotry, then, did not decide this election, and Kennedy became the first Roman Catholic president.

—Mary Beth Norton et al.

2

: acts or beliefs characteristic of a bigot

racial bigotry

will not tolerate bigotry in our organization

Synonyms of bigotry

• intolerance
• prejudice
• sectarianism
• dogmatism
• illiberality
• bias
• narrow-mindedness
• illiberalism
• partisanship
• small-mindedness

Examples of bigotry in a Sentence

a deeply ingrained bigotry prevented her from even considering the counterarguments

Recent Examples on the Web

No to bigotry and anti-meritocratic horses***. —Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025

But the most consistent anti-Indian bigotry online focuses on the H-1B visa program, of which Indian nationals are the biggest beneficiaries, Naik and other researchers said. —Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 16 Nov. 2025

In 1898, at the height of anti-Chinese bigotry, the Supreme Court delivered an unambiguous 6–2 ruling that went well beyond the particulars of Wong’s case. —Rachel Morris, New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2025

In addition to his reputation for scientific innovation and leadership, however, Watson was notorious for his bigotry. —Kathryn Paige Harden, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see bigot

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bigotry

noun

big·​ot·​ry ˈbig-ə-trē 

plural bigotries

1

: the state of mind of a bigot

2

: behavior or beliefs characteristic of a bigot