Xenophobia
noun /ˌzɛn.əˈfoʊ.bi.ə/ — Fear or hatred of people from other countries or cultures.
Definition
An intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries or of things perceived as foreign or strange. Ranges from social discomfort to systematic persecution, often activated by economic anxiety, political manipulation, or cultural threat.
Beyond the definition
Xenophobia is tribalism in emergency mode — the circling of wagons around 'us' that requires a threatening 'them'. It is usually more about the xenophobe's anxieties than about those they fear.
Origin & history
From Greek 'xenos' (stranger, foreigner) + 'phobia' (fear). Coined in the early 20th century as mass migration and nationalism became defining forces.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The rise in xenophobia correlates historically with periods of economic contraction — when there's less to go around, belonging feels more precarious.
She had grown up in a xenophobic community and only understood what she'd absorbed when she left it.
Xenophobia is not just about hating foreigners; it is about needing someone foreign to blame for something domestic.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Xenophobia” when the meaning fits your context: An intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries or of things perceived as foreign or strange. Ranges from social discomfort to systematic persecution, often activated by economic anxiety, political manipulation, or cultural threat.
Synonyms
nativism, chauvinism, bigotry
Antonyms
cosmopolitanism, openness, xenophilia
Related words
Xenophobia vs racism
Xenophobia is the fear or hatred specifically directed at people from other countries or cultures. Racism is a broader form of prejudice based on physical traits or perceived racial identity.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Person Feeling Isolated In Office
An adult stands in a bustling office, feeling disconnected and confused, as if they do not share the same reality as those around them.
Xenophobia is an irrational fear of the strange or foreign. The sense of isolation and disconnection in the office illustrates how this fear is rooted in the perceived incompatibility of the 'other' with one's own reality.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Xenophobia" mean?
Xenophobia is noun meaning: Fear or hatred of people from other countries or cultures.. An intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries or of things perceived as foreign or strange. Ranges from social discomfort to systematic persecution, often activated by economic anxiety, political manipulation, or cultural threat.
Where does the word "Xenophobia" come from?
From Greek 'xenos' (stranger, foreigner) + 'phobia' (fear). Coined in the early 20th century as mass migration and nationalism became defining forces.