Meaning & use
racial prejudice
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Meaning
noununcountable
An unfair negative opinion or hostile feeling toward people because of their race, formed without knowing them as individuals.
Grammar: Normally uncountable: There is racial prejudice here, not There are racial prejudices, though the plural can appear for different kinds.
Patterns
- racial prejudice against someone
- racial prejudice in something
She faced racial prejudice when she tried to rent a flat.
The campaign aims to reduce racial prejudice in schools.
He grew up in a town where racial prejudice was often left unchallenged.
Common combinations
- racial prejudice against
- The report found widespread racial prejudice against immigrants.
- combat racial prejudice
- The charity works to combat racial prejudice in sport.
- deep-seated racial prejudice
- Deep-seated racial prejudice can last for generations.
- experience racial prejudice
- Many of the players had experienced racial prejudice online.
- overcome racial prejudice
- The film shows two neighbors who overcome racial prejudice.
Synonyms and how they differ
- racism
- Racism is broader and can mean beliefs, systems and actions, whereas racial prejudice emphasizes the biased attitude itself.
- bigotry
- Bigotry is stubborn intolerance of many kinds of difference and is not limited to race.
- discrimination
- Discrimination is unfair treatment in action, while prejudice is the opinion behind it.
Opposites
Word family
- prejudice noun
- an unfair opinion formed beforehand
- prejudiced adjective
- holding unfair opinions
- racial adjective
- relating to race
- racist adjective
- showing or believing in racism
- racism noun
- prejudice or unfair treatment based on race
Commonly confused: racial prejudice or racial discrimination?
racial prejudice vs racial discrimination
Racial discrimination is the unfair treatment itself, such as refusing someone a job; racial prejudice is the attitude that often lies behind it.
Practice
Which word best completes: The teacher's comments showed clear racial ___ toward some of the pupils.
Choose one answer.
Racial prejudice against is the standard pattern for a hostile attitude. Discrimination is an action and would not fit with toward in this way.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “racial prejudice”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.