microaggression

[ mahy-kroh-uh-gresh-uhn ]

noun
  1. 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."

  2. 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.

Origin of microaggression

1
First recorded in 1970; coined by psychiatrist Chester M. Pierce (1927–2016); micro- + aggression

Words Nearby microaggression

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use microaggression in a sentence