as in nativist
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
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
The xenophobic law meant that Yiddish-speaking Jews and Italians seeking to vote could be required to recite and write passages from the state Constitution, regardless of their level of education in their native tongues or whether their conduct as new Americans was exemplary.
—
Robert Polner,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2026
Driven by the same nativist and xenophobic ideas, the United States adopted the Immigration Acts of 1921 and 1924, which ended mass immigration by introducing national-origin quotas designed to favor Northern and Western Europeans and exclude nonwhite immigrants almost entirely.
—
M. Gessen,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
Public anger over rising living costs and weak job creation has already spilled into xenophobic flashpoints in several communities in recent months, promoting President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the nation this week.
—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
10 June 2026
The combative congressman has made waves by pushing inflammatory and sometimes false claims on social media that have been called racist, antisemitic or xenophobic.
—
Shannon McCaffrey,
AJC.com,
10 June 2026
So politicians can pander to a xenophobic minority in their quest to hold onto power.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 June 2026
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
The xenophobic law meant that Yiddish-speaking Jews and Italians seeking to vote could be required to recite and write passages from the state Constitution, regardless of their level of education in their native tongues or whether their conduct as new Americans was exemplary.
—
Robert Polner,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2026
Driven by the same nativist and xenophobic ideas, the United States adopted the Immigration Acts of 1921 and 1924, which ended mass immigration by introducing national-origin quotas designed to favor Northern and Western Europeans and exclude nonwhite immigrants almost entirely.
—
M. Gessen,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
Public anger over rising living costs and weak job creation has already spilled into xenophobic flashpoints in several communities in recent months, promoting President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the nation this week.
—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
10 June 2026
The combative congressman has made waves by pushing inflammatory and sometimes false claims on social media that have been called racist, antisemitic or xenophobic.
—
Shannon McCaffrey,
AJC.com,
10 June 2026
So politicians can pander to a xenophobic minority in their quest to hold onto power.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for xenophobic
Adjective
-
Driven by the same nativist and xenophobic ideas, the United States adopted the Immigration Acts of 1921 and 1924, which ended mass immigration by introducing national-origin quotas designed to favor Northern and Western Europeans and exclude nonwhite immigrants almost entirely.
-
Was this restrictive definition not akin to the nativist rhetoric coming from the right?
Adjective
-
Hundreds of South African garment workers have staged walkouts to protest the mass firing of co-workers from neighboring countries like Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, warning that rising anti-immigrant sentiment could jeopardize the livelihoods of both locals and migrants.
-
Gray Davis, who was raised Catholic and returned to the church at the urging of his wife, effectively killed off Wilson’s anti-immigrant measure, Prop 187.
Adjective
-
Before the match even began, a group of fans lined up for line dancing, setting a patriotic tone for the afternoon at downtown Miami's FIFA Fan Fest.
-
In one of her most iconic images, photographer Douglas Kirkland captured the star in 1971 racing down a Las Vegas highway on a chopper, dressed in a patriotic showgirl ensemble and knee-high boots.
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.
-
Dutch Restrictions While across Europe anti-foreign sentiment keeps rising, limitations on foreign students are perhaps nowhere more striking than in the Netherlands, where a coalition supported by the far right has pushed a policy to restrict foreign students’ access to Dutch universities.
Adjective
-
The uninitiated might be surprised that Game Changer has amassed a fiercely loyal, very active online fan base.
-
Cao is strategically building his team, repositioning competent legacy appointees to ensure continuity while fostering a loyal leadership cadre.
Cite this Entry
“Xenophobic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/xenophobic. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
