xenophobia

[zen-uh-foh-bee-uh, zee-nuh-]

noun

1. an aversion or hostility to, disdain for, or fear of foreigners, people from different cultures, or strangers.

   Xenophobia and nationalism can be seen as a reaction to the rise of globalization.

2. fear or dislike of the customs, dress, etc., of people who are culturally different from oneself.

   Learning a foreign language can help to overcome xenophobia.

xenophobia

/ ˌzɛnəˈfəʊbɪə /

noun

1. hatred or fear of foreigners or strangers or of their politics or culture

xenophobia

1. An unreasonable fear, distrust, or hatred of strangers, foreigners, or anything perceived as foreign or different.

Other Word Forms

• xenophobic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of xenophobia¹

First recorded in 1890–95; xeno- “foreign, strange” + -phobia “fear”

Example Sentences

"While drawing a clear line from xenophobia, we will take a firm stand against such acts," she will say, according to the reports.

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Meanwhile, in a message targeted as much at Madrid's domestic audience as its sub-Saharan partners, the foreign ministry said "supporting the African diaspora and the fight against racism and xenophobia are also key priorities".

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A man in the suburb of Kings Heath, where a roundabout was vandalised, said it was "not patriotic, it just feels like an excuse for xenophobia".

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"However, over the past year, xenophobia has fuelled angry protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers, deepening divisions in our communities."

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The BBC has apologised after a contributor to the Radio 4 Today programme's Thought for the Day slot accused shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick of "xenophobia".

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Related Words

• animosity 
• bias 
• bigotry 
• chauvinism 
• discrimination 
• enmity 
• injustice 
• intolerance 
• preconception 
• predilection 
• predisposition 
• racism 
• sexism