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

Indeed, Uthemier’s lawsuit bears telltale signs of DeSantis’ bigotry and anti-diversity, anti-equality and anti-inclusion mania. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2026

Any dissent, any disagreement with any part of it can lead to instant accusations of transphobia, hate and bigotry. —Patricia Babcock McGraw Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026

The fact is that Islamophobia is the last form of acceptable bigotry in America. —Zainab Chaudry, Baltimore Sun, 22 May 2026

But there was a very bad deal going on in Detroit in the summer of 1943, systemic bigotry at its worst, and the CP flooded the place with bad dope and real bad cheap rot-gut booze. —Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026

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