antisemitism

American  

[an-tee-sem-i-tiz-uhm, an-tahy-] / ˌæn tiˈsɛm ɪˌtɪz əm, ˌæn taɪ- /

Or anti-Semitism

noun

1. discrimination against or prejudice or hostility toward Jews.

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Spelling

The closed and lowercase spelling antisemitism is now the preferred form. Jewish groups have long preferred the single word spelling, and many style guides, including those of major publications, have also adopted it. While Semitic is a current linguistic term for a subfamily of Afroasiatic languages including Akkadian, Arabic, Aramaic, Ethiopic, Hebrew, and Phoenician, the spelling anti-Semite falsely implies prejudice against all of the diverse groups of people who speak any of these languages. However, that is not how antisemite is used. Rather, the “Semite” in antisemitism is a euphemism for “Jew,” meant to lend a scientific air to the racial grouping of all Jewish peoples based on an outdated pseudoscience of race.

Etymology

Origin of antisemitism

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Next week we’ll ask: “Is antisemitism on the rise among young people?”

From The Wall Street Journal

Ms. Dhillon hasn’t been shy of high-profile lawsuits, targeting Harvard University this month for failing to curb antisemitism on campus and to protect the rights of Jewish students.

From The Wall Street Journal

And unlike previous eras of antisemitism, social media has given them platforms to reach millions, she added.

From The Wall Street Journal

Martin Bertao, president of College Republicans of America, said the organization deplores antisemitism and disputed the membership of the young man appearing to salute in the photo.

From The Wall Street Journal

“There is no place in this world for antisemitism as well as other forms of prejudice or hostility towards the Jewish people and people of any religion, ethnicity, or race,” the team said.

From Los Angeles Times