1
as in segregation
the belief that certain races of people are by birth and nature superior to others
Hitler's declaration of his belief in a "master race" provided irrefutable proof to the world of the inherent and dangerous racism of the Nazi movement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in prejudice
hatred of or discrimination against a person or persons based on their race
the 1963 bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, was one of the most deplorable incidents of racism that occurred during the civil rights movement of the 1960s
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of racism
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
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
Sometimes the evidence of racism’s history is right underfoot.
—USA Today, 17 Aug. 2020
The book made theorizing about genetic differences between the races acceptable among certain corners of the mainstream right, paving the way for scientific racism’s resurgence in the Trump era.
—Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
See All Example Sentences for racism
Kori Hale, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
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
Sometimes the evidence of racism’s history is right underfoot.
—USA Today, 17 Aug. 2020
The book made theorizing about genetic differences between the races acceptable among certain corners of the mainstream right, paving the way for scientific racism’s resurgence in the Trump era.
—Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
See All Example Sentences for racism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for racism
Noun
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Another heart highlighted the lasting impacts from the redlining of Troost Avenue a century ago, which long served as a dividing line of racial segregation in Kansas City.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The law was originally enacted to help undo discriminatory Jim Crow racial segregation and protect the voting rights of Black people.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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James Baldwin's insight emphasizes the necessity of confronting issues like prejudice and bullying, which require ongoing leadership action; in a video lesson, Kim Scott offers practical strategies to foster respectful team culture and effectively address harmful behaviors.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
1 Apr. 2026
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Given the scale of that publicity, the risk of prejudice is significant.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Racism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/racism. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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