Skip to main content
supremacism

supremacism

2 9.9
The idea that one group is better than others and should control them
  • noun
  • /suˈprɛməsɪzəm/
  • Offensive
translation icon : supremacismo
  • Free people everywhere share the responsibility to challenge supremacism and the denial of freedom.
  • white supremacism
  • Islamic supremacism

Examples

  • Historically, supremacism has been used to justify discrimination against marginalized groups.

  • Outrage against supremacism is not enough.

    Blog text (21)
  • Islamic supremacism contradicts freedom of religion.

    Academic text (2010)
  • Failure to defy supremacism will not only cost freedoms; it will also cost a people's identity.

    Blog text (21)
  • MLK argued that particularism of any sort is evil and a form of supremacism.

    Blog text (23)
  • Liberal and reformist Muslims should be our allies in the war against totalitarianism and supremacism in their contemporary manifestations.

    Blog text (26)
  • Many activists work tirelessly to combat the rise of supremacism in various forms around the world.

  • The documentary sheds light on the dangers of supremacism and its impact on society.

Synonyms

racism
vssupremacism
  • Offensive
496 3.0

Treating people unfairly because of their race

adds that the superior group should dominate or control other groups
ethnocentrism
vssupremacism
  • Offensive
1 8.8

Thinking your own culture is better than other cultures

suggests superiority also includes wanting domination and control of others
racialism
vssupremacism
  • Offensive
1 9.3

Belief that some races are better and that others can be treated unfairly

focuses on inherent superiority plus a claim to dominate rather than just traits
ethnocentricity
vssupremacism
  • Offensive
1 9.8

A belief that your own culture is better and used to judge other cultures

adds that this superiority implies a right to dominate other groups
cultural chauvinism
vssupremacism
  • Offensive
8.9

Thinking your own culture is better than other cultures

carries a stronger claim that the culture should dominate other societies
subordinationism
vssupremacism
  • Offensive
9.9

A belief that one group should have lower status in society or law

differs by adding that subordination results from claimed inherent superiority

Antonyms

Making everyone feel welcome and treating them fairly

A belief that all people in society should have equal rights and chances

How Extreme

supremacism
  • Offensive
2 9.9
racism
  • Offensive
496 3.0
prejudice
180 4.8
bias
  • Specialized
261 5.2

Surface Forms

supremacism singular
supremacisms plural

Morphology

supremacism = supremacy (transparent) = supreme + acy + ism

The noun is formed by adding the ideology-forming suffix '-ism' to 'supremacy', yielding a straightforward 'doctrine of supremacy' meaning.

Etymology

The word supremacism comes from supreme, with the part super- meaning 'above' or 'over' and the ending -ism meaning 'belief'. So, supremacism is the belief that one group is 'above' others and should dominate them.