speciesism

American  

[spee-shee-ziz-uhm, -see-ziz-] / ˈspi ʃiˌzɪz əm, -siˌzɪz- /

Sometimes specism

noun

1. discrimination in favor of one species, usually the human species, over another, especially in the exploitation or mistreatment of animals by humans.

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speciesism British  

/ ˈspiːʃiːzˌɪzəm /

noun

1. a belief of humans that all other species of animals are inferior and may therefore be used for human benefit without regard to the suffering inflicted

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Other Word Forms

• speciesist
  adjective
• specist
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of speciesism

First recorded in 1970–75; species + -ism

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

speciesism

Add environmental, social and governance grievances to a long list of fantasy flopping isms—remember speciesism?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026

Ethicists such as Peter Singer, for example, have argued against speciesism — the idea that dogs should be considered off-limits while pigs, an animal that is no less intelligent, are commonly accepted as food.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 15, 2024

"This actually all comes down to speciesism, which is the misguided belief that some species are more important than others - and this is how humans justify mistreating animals."

From BBC ● Apr. 26, 2023

What happens when humans resort to a kind of defensive speciesism in the name of humanism?

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 25, 2022

The philosopher Peter Singer published his groundbreaking book, "Animal Liberation," in 1975, arguing that animals have rights, and that most humans are guilty of speciesism.

From Salon ● Jan. 12, 2022