XENOPHOBIC Synonyms: 15 Similar and Opposite Words

xenophobic

adjective

Definition of xenophobic

as in nativist

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

internationalist

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 xenophobic Latinos have been not only frequent targets of nativism and xenophobic violence but also supporters — regularly enforcers — of it. — Eladio Bobadilla, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026 Published a year after the start of the Iraq War, Foer’s rosy look at globalization was already passé as the US took on a more aggressive, hostile, and xenophobic posture to the rest of the world. — Literary Hub, 23 July 2026 Africa’s biggest economy has been on a knife edge for months over growing anti-migrant sentiment and xenophobic violence in a society where one in three is unemployed, and municipal services are deteriorating. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 13 July 2026 The group traces the country’s history of xenophobic attacks back to 2008, when 62 people—including 21 South Africans, 11 Mozambicans, 5 Zimbabweans and 3 Somalis—were killed in riots targeting refugees. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 1 July 2026 The latest tensions have revived memories of the xenophobic violence of 2008, which killed at least 62 people and displaced thousands. — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 29 June 2026 In 2008, xenophobic riots left more than 60 dead — some burned alive by mobs — and tens of thousands displaced. — Kate Bartlett, NPR, 25 June 2026 South Africa has a history of xenophobic violence as migrants from poor nations like Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi generally end up settling in impoverished communities in South Africa where unemployment and frustrations are high. — ABC News, 24 June 2026 The demonstrations follow weeks of violent xenophobic attacks and growing pressure on businesses to hire only South Africans. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 18 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for xenophobic

Adjective

At large right-wing events, young conservatives have consistently espoused a deeply nativist strain of politics, and expressed their fandom of Fuentes and his politics.

— Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
Not that extricating supply chains from China is sufficient in today’s nativist political climate.

— Charlie Campbell, Time, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of nativist

Adjective

As men, women and children flooded across the border between Morocco and Spain, into the autonomous city of Ceuta at the end of July, European populists and anti-immigrant politicians capitalized on the shocking images of human desperation.

— Vasco Cotovio, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Castillo — no relation to Luis — nevertheless defended his agents’ use of anti-immigrant words.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of anti-immigrant

Adjective

And there is a reasonable likelihood that two of them will end up playing each other on Arthur Ashe either for history, or for the chance to make it, which will lead to unforeseen levels of patriotic tension.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Bands played patriotic music, fireworks were launched from the water’s edge and the family once built a temporary Statue of Liberty for the celebration.

— David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of patriotic

Adjective

From Xi Jinping’s quest to regain China’s glory, to Vladimir Putin’s attempts at a new Russian empire, to the rise of populist anti-foreign attitudes in the United States, Britain, Germany, and France, negative views of others underpin many of the conflicts in today’s world.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
Demilitarizing those areas now would mean surrendering the CCP’s solemn mission to make China whole again and, consequently, diminishing its ability to use anti-foreign nationalism as a source of legitimacy.

— Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2023

Definition of anti-foreign

Adjective

Consumers have become more responsive to discovery — and less loyal than traditional retail shoppers.

— Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
While their team has the highest total payroll in MLB this year, the Mets have subjected their loyal supporters to last-place baseball and a losing record on their home field.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of loyal

Browse Nearby Words

xenophobias

xenophobic

xerothermic

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“Xenophobic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/xenophobic. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of xenophobic

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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