What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
xenophobia
Example
Xenophobia is a major issue in many countries around the world. [xenophobia: noun]
Example
The rise of xenophobic sentiment has led to an increase in hate crimes against immigrants. [xenophobic: adjective]
racism
Example
Racism is a pervasive problem that affects many communities around the world. [racism: noun]
Example
The company was accused of racism after it was revealed that they had discriminatory hiring practices. [racist: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Racism is a more common term than xenophobia and is widely recognized as a human rights violation. Xenophobia is a less common term and is often used in academic or political contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between xenophobia and racism?
Both xenophobia and racism are formal terms and are not commonly used in everyday language. However, racism is a more loaded term and may carry more emotional weight than xenophobia.