What does xenophobic mean?
Xenophobic describes an attitude, action, or statement characterized by strong and unreasonable hostility toward people perceived as foreign or outside one's own group. The word is often applied to prejudice against immigrants, refugees, ethnic minorities, and cultures regarded as unfamiliar. Unlike a neutral description of cultural preference, xenophobic carries a strongly negative moral judgment: it suggests fear and rejection rather than reasonable caution or criticism. People, political parties, governments, media outlets, and policies can all be described as xenophobic, although the accusation is serious and should be supported by evidence of hostility or exclusion. In everyday use, the term may also extend beyond nationality to religion, language, race, or other forms of perceived difference. Its Greek roots combine xenos, meaning stranger or foreigner, with phobos, meaning fear. Understanding this history helps clarify why the word describes not merely difference, but an active hostility directed at those regarded as outsiders.
adjectiveHaving or expressing strong, unreasonable hostility or dislike toward people perceived as foreign, alien, or outside one's own group.
- Having or expressing strong hostility or dislike toward people perceived as foreign, alien, or outside one's own group.
"The politician's xenophobic rhetoric led to protests from civil-rights organizations."
"The newspaper condemned the xenophobic comments made during the campaign."
"She challenged the xenophobic policies that sought to exclude refugees and immigrants."
Xenophobic pairs the idea of the foreign with the idea of fear, capturing the hostility that can turn difference into an imagined threat.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does xenophobic come from?
Xenophobic was formed from the Greek roots xenos, meaning stranger or foreigner, and phobos, meaning fear, through the related term xenophobia. The underlying vocabulary became prominent in the nineteenth century as European imperial and nationalist contexts encouraged hostility toward foreign peoples. It belongs to a wider family including xenophile, a person who welcomes foreigners, and xenophilia, a favorable attitude toward them.
Related word forms
How xenophobic is actually used
This is a strongly negative term used especially in political, social, and cultural contexts. It commonly describes attitudes, behavior, rhetoric, and policies toward foreigners, immigrants, ethnic minorities, or people regarded as outsiders. It is not limited to hostility based on nationality.