prejudice 1 of 2

Definition of prejudicenext

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

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
Federal prosecutors later dropped the charges filed against her with prejudice. Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 3 Mar. 2026 But the Primrose is more a cauldron of prejudice and misunderstanding than a melting pot. Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Court of Appeals ruled that Weinstein was prejudiced by testimony about allegations that weren't part of the case. CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026 The Court of Appeals ruled that Weinstein was prejudiced by testimony about allegations that weren’t part of the case. ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prejudice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prejudice
Noun
  • But there are still all sorts of offline implications to ditching interpersonal interactions in favor of platforms prone to cognitive biases.
    Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Mar. 2026
  • That’s backed by minor-league data, in addition to a general sense that the emotional bias of pitchers clouds their objectivity.
    Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Vampires emerge not as mere monsters but as spectral embodiments of racism’s unending drain on Black life in the South, a haunting metaphor for generational trauma.
    Essence, Essence, 3 Dec. 2025
  • Good parenting can help protect kids from racism’s harmful effects, but what works in person might not work online.
    Alvin Thomas, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Mandel, who sells media rights to many of the biggest tennis tournaments in the world, praised the company for focusing on storytelling and turning the streaming service into the home for tennis.
    Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Eco effort Few & Far Luvhondo operates on solar power and is 100% zero waste, in part thanks to an army of black soldier flies that turn food scraps into fertilizer.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Born out of wedlock to a teenage mom, growing up under the oppressive cloud of segregation, confined to schools, sports facilities, movie theaters that were separate and unequal.
    CBS News, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
  • For decades, the phrase has symbolized the mythos of the Texas Rangers law enforcement agency — and drawn criticism for glossing over parts of its history tied to racial violence and segregation.
    Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prejudice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prejudice. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

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