prejudice 1 of 2

prejudice

2 of 2

verb

as in to bias
to cause to have often negative opinions formed without sufficient knowledge all the bad stories I had heard about the incoming CEO prejudiced me against him even before the first meeting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun prejudice contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of prejudice are bias, predilection, and prepossession. While all these words mean "an attitude of mind that predisposes one to favor something," prejudice usually implies an unfavorable prepossession and connotes a feeling rooted in suspicion, fear, or intolerance.

a mindless prejudice against the unfamiliar

When would bias be a good substitute for prejudice?

The synonyms bias and prejudice are sometimes interchangeable, but bias implies an unreasoned and unfair distortion of judgment in favor of or against a person or thing.

a strong bias toward the plaintiff

When is predilection a more appropriate choice than prejudice?

The words predilection and prejudice are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, predilection implies a strong liking deriving from one's temperament or experience.

a predilection for travel

In what contexts can prepossession take the place of prejudice?

The meanings of prepossession and prejudice largely overlap; however, prepossession suggests a fixed conception likely to preclude objective judgment of anything counter to it.

a prepossession against technology

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prejudice
Noun
Jane Doe is hoping that Jay-Z’s defamation lawsuit can be dismissed with prejudice, which would restrict it from being filed again. Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 24 Apr. 2025 However, diversity and inclusivity within communities contribute to prejudice reduction and improved race relations. Detris Honora Adelabu, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
Norton defined his project as a challenge to prejudice against gay people and their work. Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 30 Mar. 2025 That's because two other men were charged with Trump in the classified documents case and the DOJ does not want to prejudice the case against them. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prejudice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prejudice
Noun
  • Elements like market timing, rebalancing portfolios, as well as risk management, are particularly vulnerable to human error, as these decisions can often be influenced by emotion or bias.
    Logan Weaver, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • Since the start of his second term, President Trump and his allies have repeatedly criticized judges who rule against his administration, often accusing them of political bias and judicial overreach.
    Scott Neuman, NPR, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • In his remarks, Biden praised Till-Mobley for her courage in ensuring the world would see racism's horrors in her son's maimed body.
    Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 25 July 2023
  • But as has often been the case in U.S. history, there are sharp disagreement over racism's persistence and what role the government should have in addressing those issues.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 17 June 2023
Verb
  • Trump faced charges related to keeping hundreds of classified documents and refusing to turn them over to the FBI while Biden was under investigation for retaining classified documents.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • Also, working the studio each week could turn into a grind for Jordan.
    Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Under apartheid, a white minority ruled South Africa for much of the second half of the 20th century, enforcing a system of racial segregation and political and economic discrimination against nonwhite populations.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
  • The people who attained refugee status are part of the ethnic minority of Afrikaners, a group of white people of Dutch descent who ruled South Africa during the period of racial segregation known as apartheid.
    Ashley Capoot,Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 15 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prejudice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prejudice. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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