xenophobia
n. uncountablen. a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries.
n. an intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries. Often used in political or sociological contexts to describe systemic prejudice.
The government passed new laws to fight xenophobia.
The rise of xenophobia in the region led to increased tension between local residents and new immigrants.
Sociologists argue that economic instability often acts as a catalyst for xenophobia, as marginalized groups are frequently scapegoated for broader structural failures within the state.
From xeno- + -phobia.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Typically functions as an uncountable noun; often paired with the verbs 'combat', 'fuel', or 'incite'.
Last updated May 9, 2026