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is a euphemism for “Jew,” meant to lend a scientific air to the racial grouping of all Jewish peoples based on an outdated pseudoscience of race.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

Explanation

Antisemitism is prejudice against and hatred for Jewish people. Discriminating against Jews is an example of antisemitism. The Jews are also known as Semitic people, and the culture and qualities of Jews are known as Semitism. Place the prefix anti- (meaning "against") in front of semitism, and you get a noun describing actions taken against Jews. Antisemitism is an ugly thing, similar to racism or sexism. Unfortunately, antisemitism has been one of the strongest forms of hatred in the history of the world, as seen in events like the Holocaust, in which Nazi Germany killed six millions Jews.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

antisemitism

This fading memory disturbs Dervis Hizarci, a former teacher and the head of KIGA, a Berlin organization against antisemitism.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

What does it mean for Europe if the country that set the modern standard for combating antisemitism across the continent chooses to move on at a time of rising Jew-hatred?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

Public hearings -- tasked with probing the factors leading to Australia's deadliest mass shooting -- have started to receive testimony about the role social media plays in the spread of antisemitism.

From Barron's ● Jun. 29, 2026

“We unequivocally condemn antisemitism, racism, and all forms of hate, discrimination, and intolerance,” the statement said, according to a Fresno-based Fox affiliate.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026

There was a wave of antisemitism in France, and antisemitic newspapers whipped readers into a hysteria.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day