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
Someone who is gender fluid may appear more masculine or feminine at different times and experience prejudice and discrimination. Elizabeth Anne Wood, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025 At one point, the Irish tried to join the Big Ten, but were kept out, in part, due to anti-Catholic prejudice. Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
The state Court of Appeals found that the judge in the 2020 trial prejudiced the jury by allowing women with allegations that did not pertain to the case to testify. Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2025 Molo argued that his request for an extension does not prejudice class counsel’s motion for attorney’s fees, which has not been ruled on by the court, and is stayed until all appeals are decided. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for prejudice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prejudice
Noun
  • The midi dress featured some 1930s inspiration, with a bias cut and sash detailing adorned with a floral appliqué.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
  • There was no reporter on the ground with bias.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • Cook’s broader economic research on inequality, innovation, and racism’s effect on invention brings policy relevance that might otherwise go overlooked.
    Kori Hale, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Take a cue from Gal Gadot and scroll on for more sweater vests that will turn your fall layers into a Wonder Woman-worthy outfit.
    Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Anastasia Soare is turning heads and raising brows.
    Emily Burns, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Wilson carefully framed federal discrimination as good government, arguing that segregation ensured efficiency, minimized conflict, and maintained the integrity of federal institutions.
    Time, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
  • At the same time, residents have endured a tax foreclosure crisis and, decades before that, the city of Detroit was redlined, a practice by government appraisers that led to neighborhood segregation, disinvestment and stripped Black people of home ownership opportunities.
    Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 14 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prejudice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prejudice. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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