white supremacy

noun

1

: the belief that the white race is inherently superior to other races and that white people should have control over people of other races

The alt-right is a reactionary conservative movement. … It is characterized by an embrace of fascism, white supremacy, and misogyny …

—Constance Grady

2

: the social, economic, and political systems that collectively enable white people to maintain power over people of other races

… [William] Kelley turned his considerable intellect and imagination to the question of what it is like to be white in this country, and what it is like, for all Americans, to live under the conditions of white supremacy …

—Kathryn Schulz

Examples of white supremacy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

No doubt, some of his criteria sounded apt even before the Department of Homeland Security turned its X account into a stream of unsubtle endorsements of white supremacy. —Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026

Whether that image was meant to be an expression of patriotism or a wink at white supremacy was the subject of some debate. —Jason Abbruzzese, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026

For now, this week offers a number of scintillating nonfiction titles, such as Eric Lichtblau’s chilling book about the rise of white supremacy, Stefan Merrill Block’s shocking memoir about homeschooling, and a cultural history on the importance of laughter. —Julia Hass, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026

In Baraka’s play, Clay and Lula serve as allegorical representations of Black assimilation and white supremacy, respectively. —Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 3 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

white supremacy

noun

: the belief that the white race is superior to other races and that white people should have control over people of other races

white supremacist noun