blackface

noun

black·face | \ˈblak-ˌfās

Definition of blackface

: makeup applied to a performer playing a black person especially in a minstrel show also : a performer wearing such makeup

Examples of blackface in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Drake explained a photo of him in blackface, which Pusha T used as the cover art for his latest (and ruthless) diss track. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN, "Quickly catch up on the day's news," 31 May 2018 An undoctored photo taken by David Leyes of Drake in blackface, an image intended to correspond with Pusha’s claim that Drake grew up insecure about his mixed race heritage. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Pusha T Accuses Drake of Having an Illegitimate Child in Scathing New Diss Track," 30 May 2018 In a piece for The New Yorker, writer Lauren Michele Jackson said Wilson’s work made her think of blackface minstrels. — Emilia Petrarca, The Cut, "Body Con Job," 11 May 2018 Social media posts decried the dark skin tone, many likening it to the blackface minstrels of the 19th century that promoted racial stereotypes. — Colleen Barry, chicagotribune.com, "Gigi Hadid, Vogue Italia apologize for darkened skin tone," 4 May 2018 Drake recently took to social media to explain a photo of him in blackface that rival rapper Pusha T used for his latest diss track as the feud between the two heats up. — Stephen Sorace, Fox News, "Reese Witherspoon corrects fake news about selling 'her' home," 1 June 2018 And no wonder — was that Drake in blackface on the cover? — Aja Romano, Vox, "Pusha T vs. Drake: the long history of rap’s feud of the moment," 31 May 2018 Such an argument could be used to defend blackface. — Mike Fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Hard questions about race in APT's 'Blood Knot' compounded by casting decision," 18 June 2018 In addition, in another scene, Wilder depicts white men wearing blackface for the entertainment of others - including her father. — Meagan Flynn, chicagotribune.com, "Laura Ingalls Wilder's name stripped from children's book award over 'Little House' depictions of Native Americans," 26 June 2018

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