Word
xenophobic
Phoneticsxeno·pho·bic
US/ˌzɛnəˈfɑbɪk/
UK/zˌɛnəfˈəʊbɪk/
Definition
adj. showing a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries.
adj. characterised by an intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries. Often used to describe political rhetoric, social attitudes, or specific legislative policies.
Examples
“The politician was criticized for his xenophobic comments about immigrants.”
“Human rights groups warned that the new border policy could encourage xenophobic attacks against foreign workers.”
“Sociologists argue that xenophobic sentiments often intensify during economic downturns as local populations seek scapegoats for their financial anxieties.”
Examples
simple
“The politician was criticized for his xenophobic comments about immigrants.”
contextual
“Human rights groups warned that the new border policy could encourage xenophobic attacks against foreign workers.”
complex
“Sociologists argue that xenophobic sentiments often intensify during economic downturns as local populations seek scapegoats for their financial anxieties.”
Usage
Typically used to describe people, attitudes, or policies; often appears after linking verbs like 'become' or 'remain'.
Real-World Examples
“Wikimedia Commons , CC BY Most 19th-century Irish Americans supported the Democratic Party because the Republican Party was widely seen as anti-Catholic and xenophobic.” “She speaks of foreigners and Jews around her but seems less critical or xenophobic than confused by time and social change.” Etymology
From xeno- + -phobic, from Ancient Greek ξένος (xénos, “foreign, strange”) + φόβος (phóbos, “fear”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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englishreference.com/q/xenophobic