un-American

[ uhn-uh-mer-i-kuh n ]

/ ˌʌn əˈmɛr ɪ kən /

adjective

not American; not characteristic of or proper to the U.S.; foreign or opposed to the characters, values, standards, goals, etc., of the U.S.

Origin of un-American

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20

Related forms

un-A·mer·i·can·ism, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for un-american

Fortunately, these un-American arguments are destined to fail with the American public as the issue ripens.
The United States Needs Corporate 'Loyalty Oaths'|Jonathan Alter|August 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It seems almost un-American to double down on the Clinton and Bush dynasties that ran the country for a generation.
Why We Can’t Quit Bush and Clinton|Eleanor Clift|March 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And any lover of “Seinfeld” would regard banning the “Soup Nazi” episode as scandalously un-American.
Should Neo-Nazis Be Allowed Free Speech?|Thane Rosenbaum|January 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When Bauer pointed this out, the phrase that went through my mind like a grim joke was, “How un-American of him.”
The Mad Gunman of Paris|Christopher Dickey|November 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Most disconcerting of all was the sense that this perilous post-election limbo was so very un-American.
Why Egypt Has Coups … and We Don’t|Tunku Varadarajan|August 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But reverence for any earthly thing is the most un-American of attitudes.
Maids Wives and Bachelors|Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr
All this is tyranny as gross and un-American as that of George the Third in trying to force his will upon the colonies.
The Prodigal Village|Irving Bacheller
The type of face and character of bearing are surprisingly un-American.
Across the Plains|Robert Louis Stevenson
We promised that the Church should cease to accumulate property for the support of illegal practices and un-American government.
Under the Prophet in Utah|Frank J. Cannon and Harvey J. O'Higgins
These long, solitary walks were one of the un-American habits that earned for Sarah Hunt the reputation of eccentricity.
Husks|Marion Harland

British Dictionary definitions for un-american

un-American

adjective

not in accordance with the aims, ideals, customs, etc, of the US

against the interests of the US

Derived Forms

un-Americanism, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Culture definitions for un-american

un-American

A term used, primarily by extreme conservatives, to attack principles or practices considered to be at odds with the values of most Americans. Many object to the use of the term on the grounds that it is vague, shortsighted, and intolerant.

Note

The House of Representatives maintained a Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) for several years. It was especially known for investigation of alleged communists. (See Alger Hiss.)