WordGarden.ioxenophobic
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /zˌɛnəfˈəʊbɪk/
US
- /ˌzɛnəˈfɑbɪk/
Meanings
Adjective
hostile to or prejudiced against foreigners or people seen as foreign
Beyond the definition
Imagine a small town where everyone has lived for generations, knowing each other's families and traditions. Now imagine someone new arrives—different clothes, different language, different customs. If people in that town react with fear or hostility simply because this person is "different," they are being xenophobic.
Being xenophobic is more than simply not liking foreigners. It means feeling fear, distrust, or hatred toward people from other countries or toward those seen as outsiders. The word comes from the Greek xenos, meaning "stranger" or "guest," and phobos, meaning "fear." This attitude can show up as prejudice, discrimination, or even violence. While people may sometimes feel unsure around what is unfamiliar, a xenophobic reaction goes further because it judges people mainly for where they come from. You might hear about rising xenophobic feelings during times of political tension or economic hardship, when people start blaming outsiders for larger problems.
To be xenophobic is to show fear, distrust, or hatred toward strangers, foreigners, immigrants, or other people seen as outsiders. It is a form of prejudice rooted in a strong sense of "us" versus "them," often fueled by misinformation, cultural misunderstanding, and anxiety about identity, jobs, or safety.
The term itself comes from the Greek words xenos (stranger, guest) and phobos (fear). Historically, xenophobic attitudes have manifested in various forms—from discriminatory immigration policies to violent attacks on minority groups. It's not simply a dislike of other cultures; it's an irrational fear that often leads to negative stereotypes and the dehumanization of those considered "outsiders."
Xenophobic behavior is most often discussed in relation to nationality, immigration, or ethnic background, but it can also appear more broadly within a society when people treat outsiders with deep suspicion. For example, a community might react negatively to newcomers from another region or country and assume they do not belong, even before getting to know them.
It's important to distinguish between healthy caution and being truly xenophobic. Being wary of unfamiliar situations is natural, but a xenophobic mindset involves an irrational fear and hostility based solely on someone's origin or perceived difference. In today's increasingly globalized world, understanding the roots and consequences of such prejudice is more crucial than ever. We see the term discussed frequently in political discourse, social commentary, and news reports about immigration, international relations, and cultural clashes. For example: "The politician was accused of appealing to xenophobic sentiments with his anti-immigrant rhetoric." Or, "Rising nationalism often goes hand-in-hand with increased xenophobic activity."
Examples
- 1
Social setting
Several people left the dinner table after he made xenophobic comments about foreign workers.
- 2
Public speech
Her speech sounded openly xenophobic toward immigrants.
- Patternxenophobic toward + group
showing this attitude to that group
- 3
Election
The party was criticized for using xenophobic language during the campaign.
- 4
Family attitudes
She grew up hearing xenophobic attitudes at home, but she never accepted them.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Crisis violence
Aid groups warned that the economic crisis could fuel xenophobic attacks.
See also
Similar
- anti-foreign
- nativist
- bigoted
Shades of meaning
- anti-immigrant
- ethnocentric
- chauvinistic
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- xenophobic attitudes
- xenophobic rhetoric
- xenophobic violence
Word family
- xenophobia
- xenophobe
Explore
- prejudice
- othering
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- xenophobicadjective