What does antiforeign mean?
"Antiforeign" is an adjective describing opposition, hostility, or resistance directed at foreigners, foreign nations, or foreign influence. It appears most often in political commentary, journalism, and historical analysis, where writers characterize policies, movements, or public moods — an antiforeign riot, an antiforeign campaign, antiforeign sentiment sweeping a country. The word can describe attitudes toward foreign people themselves, such as immigrants or residents, or toward external influences more broadly, including imported goods, foreign ideas, and outside cultural practices. Because it usually implies exclusion or hostility, the term frequently carries a critical connotation, though scholars may apply it descriptively when analyzing nationalist or isolationist movements without endorsing them. Related concepts include nativism, which stresses favoring native-born inhabitants, and jingoism, an aggressive form of nationalism; antiforeign sits comfortably among these as a precise label for animus aimed specifically at what comes from abroad. Its usefulness lies in that precision: it names a stance, not merely a feeling.
adjectiveOpposed to or hostile toward foreigners, foreign countries, or foreign influence and ideas.
- Hostile to or opposed to foreigners or foreign countries.
- Resistant to foreign influence, ideas, goods, or cultural practices.
"The newspaper's antiforeign editorials stirred up resentment against immigrant traders."
"The government's antiforeign rhetoric intensified after the border dispute."
"Antiforeign boycotts targeted imported goods in the port cities."
From the Boxer Rebellion to modern trade wars, 'antiforeign' has named the sentiment behind history's most explosive clashes between cultures.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of antiforeign
The word combines the prefix "anti-", from Greek anti meaning "against" or "opposite", with "foreign", which derives through Old French "forain" from the Latin phrase "foras" or "foris", meaning "out of doors" or "outside" — hence what lies beyond one's own community. The compound arose in English to name opposition to that which is outside, and its root family includes other Latin-derived words connected to the idea of the outside or the public sphere, such as "forum" and "forensic".
How antiforeign is actually used
Typically used in formal political, historical, and journalistic writing rather than casual conversation. It often carries negative connotations, implying prejudice or hostility, though historians may describe movements as antiforeign neutrally when characterizing them.
Easily confused with antiforeign
Xenophobia is fear or hatred of strangers and outsiders generally, while antiforeign specifically denotes opposition to foreign people, nations, or influences.