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

Southgate’s confident assertion that the tide of history was turning against bigotry now looks utopian, or even naïve. —Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 18 June 2026

Guess also expressed concern that the defacement was linked to bigotry in Houston, during a press conference on June 8. —News Desk, Artforum, 17 June 2026

Or rather, because of others’ religious bigotry. —David Williamson, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026

The most heartbreaking toll that war, disease, greed, and bigotry, all of these things, the greatest toll comes to the children. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 14 June 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