ra·cial·ism
ˈrā-shə-ˌli-zəm 
: a belief that race (see race entry 1 sense 1a) determines human traits and capacities
also
: racism
ra·cial·ist
ˈrā-shə-list
plural -s
Examples of racialism in a Sentence
Noun (1)
the racialism of some of the nation's founders seems to contradict their professed belief that “all men are created equal”
an ugly incident of racialism that campus police are investigating
Recent Examples on the Web
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
15 Aug. 2025
In our day, he is reviled for his imperialism, racialism, and even his humorously excessive appreciation for a fine cigar.
—
Peter J. Travers,
National Review,
7 Dec. 2021
Today, certain people talk about racialism, indigenism, and decolonial theories, but beneath these terms hateful and fanatical agitators want a race war.
—
Harrison Stetler,
The New Republic,
24 May 2021
King never seriously entertained the utopian ideas of Black emigration or the romantic racialism of Muhammad’s Black nationalism.
—
Brandon M. Terry,
The New York Review of Books,
11 Mar. 2021
Post-racialism is the promise of working to move beyond the perils of the Black condition in America, an achievement of Black acceleration and exceptionalism; when transcending race was aspirational and thought of to be wholly possible.
—
Taylor Renee Aldridge,
Harper's BAZAAR,
23 Feb. 2021
Hawley describes Roosevelt as driven by a combination of warrior republicanism and crude racialism, which at times led him to adopt autocratic racial theories and dreams of imperial conquest.
—
Zaid Jilani,
Washington Examiner,
31 Dec. 2020
This seed of scientific racialism waxed and reached its peaks in the years around 1900, before waning in the 20th century.
—
Razib Khan,
Discover Magazine,
24 Aug. 2011
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Noun
Internally, the adoption of multi-racialism as a policy was designed to diminish—even if, initially, imperceptibly—the social and economic influence of white South Africans, and to displace them, at least partly, by the local petite bourgeoisie.
—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
15 Aug. 2025
In our day, he is reviled for his imperialism, racialism, and even his humorously excessive appreciation for a fine cigar.
—
Peter J. Travers,
National Review,
7 Dec. 2021
Today, certain people talk about racialism, indigenism, and decolonial theories, but beneath these terms hateful and fanatical agitators want a race war.
—
Harrison Stetler,
The New Republic,
24 May 2021
King never seriously entertained the utopian ideas of Black emigration or the romantic racialism of Muhammad’s Black nationalism.
—
Brandon M. Terry,
The New York Review of Books,
11 Mar. 2021
Post-racialism is the promise of working to move beyond the perils of the Black condition in America, an achievement of Black acceleration and exceptionalism; when transcending race was aspirational and thought of to be wholly possible.
—
Taylor Renee Aldridge,
Harper's BAZAAR,
23 Feb. 2021
Hawley describes Roosevelt as driven by a combination of warrior republicanism and crude racialism, which at times led him to adopt autocratic racial theories and dreams of imperial conquest.
—
Zaid Jilani,
Washington Examiner,
31 Dec. 2020
This seed of scientific racialism waxed and reached its peaks in the years around 1900, before waning in the 20th century.
—
Razib Khan,
Discover Magazine,
24 Aug. 2011
Cite this Entry
“Racialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racialism. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
racialism
noun
ra·cial·ism
ˈrā-shə-ˌliz-əm
: a belief that race determines human traits and abilities
also
: racism
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