xenophobia
zen-uh-FOH-bee-uh
/ˌzɛnəˈfoʊbiə/
Dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.
It is specifically focused on 'foreignness' or 'the stranger,' rather than race or religion alone.
The story behind the word. In Ancient Greece, 'xenos' meant both 'stranger' and 'guest'—the Greeks had a sacred duty of hospitality (xenia). Xenophobia is the tragic inversion of this ancient virtue, turning the 'guest' into an object of 'phobos' (fear).
Word relationships
- nativism: Nativism is a political policy of promoting the interests of native inhabitants against those of immigrants; xenophobia is the underlying fear or hatred.
- xenophilia: An affection for unknown objects or people; attraction to foreign things.
Commonly confused with
- racism: Racism is based on perceived biological race; xenophobia is based on perceived national or cultural 'foreignness'.
Word family
- xenophobe (noun): A person having a dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.
- xenophobic (adjective): Having or showing a dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.
Collocations
- rampant xenophobia
- incite xenophobia
- xenophobic rhetoric
Example sentences
- "Economic downturns often lead to a rise in xenophobia as people look for scapegoats among immigrant populations." Global Politics
- "Xenophobia is the fear of the stranger, but the stranger is often just a mirror of our own insecurities." Literature
Memory hook
Think of 'X-men'—they are strangers/aliens with powers, and the people in the movies fear them (phobia). Fear of the 'X' (the unknown/stranger).
When not to use
Do not use it for general hatred; it must involve a fear or dislike of those perceived as 'outsiders' or 'foreigners.'
Fun facts
- The word didn't enter common English usage until the late 19th century, coinciding with the rise of modern nationalism.
Related words
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