Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

reverse snobbery

American  
[ri-vurs snahb-uh-ree] / rɪˈvɜrs ˈsnɑb ə ri /

noun

  1. the denigration or shunning of people with higher ability, education, or social status, or of their tastes, work, etc., as an expression of sympathy or solidarity with people perceived as average or unprivileged.


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.

See Examples For:

But a certain reverse snobbery attaches itself to salad cream.

From The Guardian Dec. 5, 2019

“I think there’s such a reverse snobbery about intellectuals that I think it would almost be seen as a badge of honor. I think that’s really concerning.”

From Washington Times Mar. 21, 2019

And it's the only kind of snobbery with any real power in America today: reverse snobbery.

From Slate Dec. 1, 2017

It is the kind of reverse snobbery that no lawyer can defend against.

From Time Jun. 9, 2011

Today, snobberies of residence and place can sometimes be achieved by the familiar flip into reverse snobbery.

From Time Magazine Archive

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training