racist

1 of 2

adjective

rac·​ist ˈrā-sist 

 also  -shist

: of, relating to, or characterized by racism: such as

a

: having, reflecting, or fostering the belief that race (see race entry 1 sense 1a) is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race

racist speech

racist views

a racist person

Over the last three years, there have been episodes of racist graffiti, jokes, anonymous hate notes or brawls at 175 campuses …

—Joseph Berger

The viciousness her liaison with Lennon inspired was virulently sexist, openly racist, and as ugly as ugly gets.

—Esquire

Racist violence against Romani in eastern Europe is reminiscent of pogroms against the Jews in the Tsarist Empire.

—Donald Kenrick

b

: of, relating to, or characterized by the systemic oppression of a racial group to the social, economic, and political advantage of another

racist laws/policies

a racist society

In contrast, people of color in a racist system always face headwinds.

—Claire Gillespie

The History and Dictionary Meanings of Racism and Racist: Usage Guide

Racism and racist appear to be words of recent origin, with no citations currently known that would suggest these words were in use prior to the early 20th century. But the fact that the words are fairly new does not prove that the concept of racism did not exist in the distant past. Things may have words to describe them before they exist (spaceship, for instance, has been in use since the 19th century, well before the rocket-fired vessels were invented), and things may exist for a considerable time before they are given names (T-shirt does not appear in print until the 20th century, although the article of clothing existed prior to 1900). Dictionaries are often treated as the final arbiter in arguments over a word's meaning, but they are not always well suited for settling disputes. The lexicographer's role is to explain how words are (or have been) actually used, not how some may feel that they should be used, and they say nothing about the intrinsic nature of the thing named or described by a word, much less the significance it may have for individuals. When discussing concepts like racism, therefore, it is prudent to recognize that quoting from a dictionary is unlikely to either mollify or persuade the person with whom one is arguing.

racist

2 of 2

noun

plural racists

: a person who is racist : someone who holds the belief that race (see race entry 1 sense 1a) is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race

… anonymous racists, misogynists and bullies sowing … hatred and violence.

—Andrew Keen

Synonyms

Noun

• racialist
• supremacist

Examples of racist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

And some studies and reports have suggested that people of African descent consider Finland to be one of the most racist countries in the European Union, with nearly half of those surveyed experiencing racial harassment. —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024

Consider these diverging views of what’s supposed to be a common reality: Some say January 6, 2021, was an insurrection sparked by a racist demagogue. —John Blake, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024

And crucial examples for fine-tuning AI, which has to be intentionally created and curated—data used to make a chatbot helpful, human-sounding, not racist, and so on—are even rarer. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2024

His acquittal for murder was the correct and necessary result of a racist criminal legal system. —Erika D. Smith, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024

An antiracist has an ethical duty to try to engage with racist people and institutions in order to inspire this kind of change. —Amy Dickinson, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024

Tesla is also facing its latest lawsuit over labor rights violations from former workers at the Fremont facility, which has been accused of being a hotbed of racist and sexist harassment. —William Gavin, Quartz, 11 Apr. 2024

Perhaps the full episodes provide unique entertainment value while also challenging racist social policy. —Kyle Bowser, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2024

The racist attacks haven’t been reserved for him, Scott noted. —Emmanuel Felton, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024

Noun

Hurtado said Ureña has called her racist for objecting to speaking Spanish from the dais. —Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024

Silvio and Stephan Marsan allegedly sent racist, homophobic and antisemitic memes and messages in group chats with a number of Brandy Melville employees. —Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024

In the film, which airs on HBO on Tuesday, helmer Eva Orner highlights allegations of a racist, sexist and discriminatory work environment at cult teen-girl brand Brandy Melville from former employees at various levels of the label. —Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Apr. 2024

But Netanyahu hadn’t just given Israel’s most extreme racists unprecedented power and legitimacy. —Anshel Pfeffer, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2024

Only to be out three years and have an encounter with this racist, incompetent officer who took his life unnecessarily. —Char Adams, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2024

The play, which Clive Barnes of The Times called racist, closed after a week. —Anita Gates, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024

Read more Claim: Pete Buttigieg said collapsed Baltimore bridge was ‘racist’ Our rating: False Buttigieg didn’t call the bridge racist. —Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024

The attacks quickly turned misogynistic and racist. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

race entry 1 + -ist entry 2, perhaps after French raciste, adjective

Noun

race entry 1 + -ist entry 1, perhaps after French raciste, noun

First Known Use

Adjective

1923, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1919, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing racist

• anti-racist