classism

noun

class·​ism ˈkla-ˌsi-zəm How to pronounce classism (audio)
1
: a belief that a person's social or economic station in society determines their value in that society
[Michael] Moore helped create the era of snark, but he also bore a lot of it, and much of the criticism of him carries a whiff of classism.Jessica Pressler
also : behavior that reflects this belief : prejudice or discrimination based on class
… the show explores classism and white privilege by comparing how school administrators treat him, as a rich white boy from a family with Ivy League pedigree, versus how they treat Latina and working-class Moe. Roxana Hadadi
2
: the systemic oppression of the lower class and middle class to the advantage of the upper class
Further, this is one way to dismantle the power difference society's privileges grant us through such institutions as racism or classismSarah Lucia Hoagland
classist adjective

Examples of classism in a Sentence

a society plagued by racism and classism
Recent Examples on the Web This is interwoven with classism: Around a campfire, he is asked about the prime minister’s upcoming mini-budget, which is rumored to cut taxes for the highest earners. Louis Staples, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2024 Perhaps readers in 2016 were eager to look past the book’s highly loaded subtext and overt classism, as the promise of a sympathetic conservative who could unlock Trumplandia for liberals was just too appealing. Aja Romano, Vox, 17 July 2024 Other days consisted of skits illustrating the effects of classism, ageism and religious oppression. Alecia Taylor, Miami Herald, 1 July 2024 Economic research reveals some merits behind the idea, but others see classism and discrimination. JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for classism 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'classism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of classism was in 1842

Dictionary Entries Near classism

Cite this Entry

“Classism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classism. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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