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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of racism
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
Not speaking about or not gaining knowledge of racism's existence -- that stunts the progress of equality.
—S. Mitra Kalita, CNN, 9 July 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
Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 25 July 2023
Sometimes the evidence of racism’s history is right underfoot.
—USA Today, 17 Aug. 2020
Not speaking about or not gaining knowledge of racism's existence -- that stunts the progress of equality.
—S. Mitra Kalita, CNN, 9 July 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
-
While in segregation, staff observed him in distress and contacted on-site medical personnel for assistance.—
Laura Romero,
ABC News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
As my colleague Howard Blume wrote, a legal challenge with an anonymous LAUSD parent mentioned is seeking to dismantle protections for disadvantaged students of color that were originally put in place to comply with a court order meant to lessen the harms of segregation in our schools.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Reversed and dismissed with prejudice.—
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Robertson, who did not respond to a request for comment, asked that the judge dismiss the case with prejudice, meaning that charges cannot be refiled.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Racism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/racism. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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