Definition of racism in English:

noun

• 1Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.

  ‘a programme to combat racism’

  More example sentences

  • ‘These are individual incidents and overt racism should be easy to deal with.’
  • ‘Is he saying that any election where a white candidate beats a black candidate offers proof of racism?’
  • ‘She says she does not suffer from racism because she does not recognise it.’
  • ‘Traditional dancers have condemned a move which could lead to them being prosecuted for racism.’
  • ‘Positive discrimination can increase racism rather than working to decrease it.’
  • ‘It is true that in recent years the police in York have made real efforts to crack down on institutional racism.’
  • ‘The area has seen a rise in racism since the election of three British National Party councillors.’
  • ‘While not entirely eradicated, major strides have been made in tackling racism in our game.’
  • ‘In fact his case has been used in the media to whip up further racism against Roma.’
  • ‘Britain is and always has been a multicultural society and there is no place for racism in the Britain of today.’
  • ‘Of course it is for everyone in the community to tackle racism and to ensure everyone is treated equally.’
  • ‘The inquiry team will also controversially clear the Crown of any racism in its handling of the case.’
  • ‘Black people are imprisoned at five times the rate of white due to racism.’
  • ‘Inmates at Buckley Hall Prison have to run a gauntlet of insults and racism from some members of staff.’
  • ‘Insecurity about the immigration system breeds racism towards those who come through it.’
  • ‘Nobody could ever accuse Glastonbury of being a hotbed of racism and prejudice.’
  • ‘He once defended himself against an accusation of racism by saying that black people were good at sport.’
  • ‘Along with a reputation for corruption, the force has frequently been accused of racism.’
  • ‘Is it not vital for nations such as the UK to stand up against such racism and punish it with trade policy?’
  • ‘However, the evidence of a degree of institutional racism is in the statistics.’

  Synonyms

  racial discrimination, racialism, racial bigotry, racial prejudice, xenophobia, chauvinism, bigotry, bias, intolerance

  View synonyms

  1. 1.1 The belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.
     ‘theories of racism’

     More example sentences

     • ‘The most inflexible form of racism holds that race is determined biologically.’
     • ‘Such people will inevitably bring their racism and sexism into the jury room.’
     • ‘The whole sorry saga shows that the meaning of racism has become twisted beyond recognition.’
     • ‘Those at the top of society fan ideas of nationalism, racism and sexism that divide people.’
     • ‘I would argue that racism is neither reducible to social class or gender nor wholly autonomous.’
     • ‘Anyway, it turns out that the main party of racism and class bigotry appears to be in terminal decline.’
     • ‘Although much of his writing was an attack on racism, his politics had a much wider focus.’
     • ‘You shouldn't be able to become a cop if your mind is poisoned with racism and ignorance.’
     • ‘He explores a number of issues, from the environment and friendship, to slavery and racism.’
     • ‘This can't be just dismissed as a manifestation of latent racism in Australian society.’
     • ‘Nationalism is, in my view, an unpleasant manifestation of racism that I have no time for.’
     • ‘Secondly, as has been stressed before, it is legally and morally wrong to promote racism.’
     • ‘Perhaps the series writers are trying to highlight the inequities perpetuated by racism?’
     • ‘The Austrians have no monopoly on racism, but the success of Haider is not really about Austria.’
     • ‘It is clear that people have a variety of perspectives on issues of race and racism.’
     • ‘Is it possible to be a supporter without some form of nationalism, or even racism, coming into it?’
     • ‘That is as true for contemporary racism as it is for its manifestations in history.’
     • ‘It is a form of racism to suggest that one religion is right and all others are not.’
     • ‘This group has a stake in the perpetuation of racism and will desire and work for it to continue.’