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ageism

noun
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age·​ism | \ ˈā-(ˌ)ji-zəm How to pronounce ageism (audio) \
variants: or less commonly

Definition of ageism

: prejudice or discrimination against a particular age-group and especially the elderly
Other Words from ageism Example Sentences Learn More about ageism

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Other Words from ageism

ageist or less commonly agist \ ˈā-​jist How to pronounce agist (audio) \ adjective

Examples of ageism in a Sentence

He accused his former employer of ageism when he lost his job to a younger man.
Recent Examples on the Web Actors have to wage a constant battle against ageism, but Dunaway’s reported struggles with her lines at some performances are bound to raise the age issue in some circles. — Don Aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, "This was no happy homecoming for Faye Dunaway. Instead it was a demolition.," 26 July 2019 Women are harder hit by workplace ageism more than men, according to a new study. — Halley Bondy, NBC News, "Why women in their 40s, 50s and beyond are a force to be reckoned with in the workplace," 17 Dec. 2019 That moment went viral, with social media citizens praising her Swarbrick for her nimble wit and others accusing her of ageism. — Lateshia Beachum, chicagotribune.com, "AARP executive on ‘OK boomer’: ‘Okay, millennials, but we’re the people that actually have the money’," 13 Nov. 2019 Perhaps surprisingly, workers age 34 and younger reported experiencing ageism more often than workers 55 or older did. — Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, "Nearly 60% of U.S. workers say they've seen workplace discrimination," 23 Oct. 2019 For some, the reaction only highlighted ageism and sexism in Hollywood. — Halley Bondy, NBC News, "In the know: Women in the news 11/4 - 11/8," 8 Nov. 2019 When people suffering from middle ageism stop looking for work they are omitted from the unemployment data. — BostonGlobe.com, "You're using a browser set to private or incognito mode.," 12 Oct. 2019 One of the big reasons for the creeping ageism is the Indian media’s unabashed focus on the age of new tech entrepreneurs, many of whom started up in their early to mid 20s. — Diksha Madhok, Quartz India, "Indians love to respect their elders—unless they’re in the workplace," 26 Sep. 2019 Below, Davis speaks with EW about joining GLOW, her love of Vegas, how her character is helping shine a light on the issue of ageism in the entertainment world, and more. — Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, "How Geena Davis is battling ageism with her GLOW season 3 character," 7 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ageism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of ageism

1969, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for ageism

age entry 1 + -ism (as in racism)

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Time Traveler for ageism

Time Traveler

The first known use of ageism was in 1969

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Statistics for ageism

Last Updated

9 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Ageism.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ageism. Accessed 28 January 2020.

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More Definitions for ageism

ageism

noun
How to pronounce ageism (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of ageism

: unfair treatment of old people

See the full definition for ageism in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on ageism

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with ageism

Britannica English: Translation of ageism for Arabic Speakers

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