microaggression
[ mahy-kroh-uh-gresh-uhn ]
/ ˌmaɪ kroʊ əˈgrɛʃ ən /
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noun
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.
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Origin of microaggression
First recorded in 1970; coined by psychiatrist Chester M. Pierce (1927–2016); micro- + aggression
Words nearby microaggression
micro, microabscess, microadenoma, microaerophil, microaerophile, microaggression, microammeter, microampere, microanalysis, microanastomosis, microanatomy
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021