microaggression
Americannoun
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a subtle but offensive comment or action directed at a member of a marginalized group, especially a racial minority, that is often unintentionally offensive or unconsciously reinforces a stereotype.
microaggressions such as "I don't see you as Black."
-
the act of discriminating against a marginalized group by means of such comments or actions.
The diversity committee discussed the issue of microaggression toward women on campus.
Etymology
Origin of microaggression
First recorded in 1970; coined by psychiatrist Chester M. Pierce (1927–2016); micro- + aggression
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Nisha Trivedi, founder of NishaTri business etiquette training, said she got a question during a training session last spring about how to respond to a microaggression.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 16, 2024
“In a situation where a microaggression occurs, I would want to deal with it as quickly as I could,” said Issaquah High School teacher Colleen Ball.
From Seattle Times ● May 14, 2023
"That is a linguistic microaggression, and it is a clear example of why understanding language and culture is in fact critically important to DEI work."
From Salon ● Sep. 2, 2022
The go-to response when a microaggression is committed is to say “I meant no harm.”
From Washington Post ● Oct. 8, 2021
It then cuts to a series of students mentioning a microaggression.
From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
