as in nativism
fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners
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Recent Examples of xenophobia
In many respects the most effective (and rational) response was to adopt a visceral suspicion of foreigners, and some communities took this xenophobia to its ultimate conclusion.
—
Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
The petition is a reflection of the political divide and xenophobia Bad Bunny’s Latino heritage and lyrics in Spanish have ignited, along with his political views on immigrant rights amid the government’s deportation policies.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
The rise of authoritarianism, xenophobia and nationalism is also fueling young people’s desire to act, as opportunities that were once available to their parents’ generations have nearly disappeared.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
Dismissing these concerns as mere xenophobia is both condescending and factually wrong.
—Letters To The Editor, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for xenophobia
Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
The petition is a reflection of the political divide and xenophobia Bad Bunny’s Latino heritage and lyrics in Spanish have ignited, along with his political views on immigrant rights amid the government’s deportation policies.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
The rise of authoritarianism, xenophobia and nationalism is also fueling young people’s desire to act, as opportunities that were once available to their parents’ generations have nearly disappeared.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
Dismissing these concerns as mere xenophobia is both condescending and factually wrong.
—Letters To The Editor, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for xenophobia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for xenophobia
Noun
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Reirson, the Western State College of Law professor, said the nation’s founding ideals of pluralism and equal opportunity have often clashed with an undercurrent of nativism and white supremacy.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
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But the film also sees the roots of toxic nativism elsewhere, especially in the wars being waged in Ukraine and Gaza, both of which become passing points of conversation.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In much of Europe, by contrast, the chauvinism that had fuelled two devastating World Wars rendered such displays largely taboo after Hitler’s defeat.—
Ian Buruma,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
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Her stories are well-told, relevant and often searing, detailing an elementary-school teacher’s slight, a hometown swimming-pool reckoning and chauvinism from an Ivy League club.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Tapping into national pride — dare say jingoism — might have done the trick.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
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The positive feelings people have toward their community translate directly into civic engagement, without the risk of increasing negative feelings such as jingoism or xenophobia.—
Sean Richey,
The Conversation,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Xenophobia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/xenophobia. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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