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

Black people and Jewish people are tied in their burden as targets of abiding oppression and bigotry and, for decades, co-warriors in the fight for civil rights and social justice. —Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026

Fishback’s rhetoric couches religious bigotry in the language of economic populism. —Steven Burg, Sun Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2026

Their eager amorality has allowed extreme elements to use the GOP as a vehicle for bigotry and rage. —Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 2026

One on antisemitism and hatred and bigotry, and on that, that’s a black and white issue. —ABC News, 23 Feb. 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