eugenic
Americanadjective
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of or relating to measures intended to produce a perceived improvement in the characteristics of the human species or a human population, especially through reproductive policy.
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having inherited characteristics that are seen as favorable for the purpose of producing or reproducing perceived improvements in the human species or a human population.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of eugenic
First recorded in 1880–85; from Greek eugen(ḗs) “wellborn” ( see eu-, -gen) + -ic
Explanation
Something eugenic relates to the idea that self-selecting genetic characteristics, like hair or eye color, can improve a race. The Nazis' eugenic plans to create a "master race" marked one of the darkest periods in the twentieth century. The adjective eugenic traces its roots from the Greek word eugenes, meaning "well-born." The field of eugenics aimed in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries to improve the characteristics of a race by promoting certain qualities in its offspring, which they then would pass on to future generations. But it also tried to prevent people with "unfavorable" qualities from procreating. This philosophy has greatly fallen out of favor since World War II, especially among biologists.
Vocabulary lists containing eugenic
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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.
Today’s eugenic thought does deviate from the version that prevailed in the 1920s.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2025
And several past presidents supported voluntary and compulsory eugenic sterilizations at some point in their careers.
From Science Magazine • Jan. 24, 2023
But every utopian eugenic impulse has been countered by fierce dystopian skepticism.
From Slate • Apr. 25, 2020
“For those determined to miss the point, I deplore the idea of a eugenic policy,” he wrote.
From Washington Times • Feb. 17, 2020
But Priddy was concerned that his attempts to achieve eugenic sterilizations would still be challenged by state and federal courts.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
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.
