otherness
noun
oth·er·ness
ˈə-t͟hər-nəs 
1
: the quality or state of being other or different
2
: something that is other or different
Synonyms
Examples of otherness in a Sentence
As an American growing up in Africa, I always felt a sense of otherness.
the otherness of their small religious community
Recent Examples on the Web
This ostracism, this otherness, is among the most distressing feelings that can be felt by our social species.
—
Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 30 June 2023
But the casting of Asian American actresses in two of the main roles has reframed the musical to emphasize its exploration of the otherness — an otherness that some Asian Americans often feel in the United States and elsewhere.
—Matt Stevens, New York Times, 18 June 2023
After the film’s release, Haynes, writing in Bomb magazine, drew attention to Reichardt’s otherness.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 22 June 2023
Exactly how to integrate the feeling of racial otherness into the show was also an ongoing challenge for the cast.
—Matt Stevens, New York Times, 18 June 2023
But Ruby’s not nearly as comfortable with her own otherness, which she’s spent her entire life trying to disguise.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 15 June 2023
More care has gone into aquarium-style realism than into considering what the fantasy of otherness means.
—Armond White, National Review, 26 May 2023
Del Toro nicknamed him el Niño Sapo (the Toad Kid), recognizing a kindred otherness in Giménez Cacho.
—Carlos Aguilar, New York Times, 16 Dec. 2022
Like so many things connected to ideas of progress and development, these conclaves often served to reinforce existing power structures and basic ideas of race and otherness that grew out of slavery and colonialism.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2023
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Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 30 June 2023
But the casting of Asian American actresses in two of the main roles has reframed the musical to emphasize its exploration of the otherness — an otherness that some Asian Americans often feel in the United States and elsewhere.
—Matt Stevens, New York Times, 18 June 2023
After the film’s release, Haynes, writing in Bomb magazine, drew attention to Reichardt’s otherness.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 22 June 2023
Exactly how to integrate the feeling of racial otherness into the show was also an ongoing challenge for the cast.
—Matt Stevens, New York Times, 18 June 2023
But Ruby’s not nearly as comfortable with her own otherness, which she’s spent her entire life trying to disguise.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 15 June 2023
More care has gone into aquarium-style realism than into considering what the fantasy of otherness means.
—Armond White, National Review, 26 May 2023
Del Toro nicknamed him el Niño Sapo (the Toad Kid), recognizing a kindred otherness in Giménez Cacho.
—Carlos Aguilar, New York Times, 16 Dec. 2022
Like so many things connected to ideas of progress and development, these conclaves often served to reinforce existing power structures and basic ideas of race and otherness that grew out of slavery and colonialism.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'otherness.' 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
1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near otherness
Cite this Entry
“Otherness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/otherness. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.
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