Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who holds or advocates racialism: A racialist is an individual who believes in or promotes the doctrine that inherent differences exist between human races, typically involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to dominate others.
   • A person with racial prejudice: More broadly, it refers to someone who exhibits prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief in racial superiority.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The speaker was denounced as a racialist for his hateful rhetoric.
  • Historical policies of segregation were supported by racialists.
  • She argued that the law was not just unfair but was designed by racialists.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• The term racialist is closely related to and often synonymous with racist. However, some users make a subtle distinction, using "racialist" to describe someone focused on racial differences or separation, and "racist" to describe someone with overt hatred or belief in superiority. In modern usage, they are frequently used interchangeably, with "racist" being far more common.
• The ideology or belief system itself is called racialism.

Variants and Related Words

• Racialism (n): The belief in the superiority of a particular race; the policy or practice of maintaining separation or dominance between racial groups.
  • The country struggled to overcome the legacy of racialism.
• Racist (n/adj): (More common) A person who shows or feels discrimination or prejudice against people of other races, or who believes that a particular race is superior to another. Also used as an adjective.
  • He was accused of making racist comments. (adj)
  • They were exposed as racists. (n)

Synonyms

• Bigot: A person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one exhibiting intolerance or animosity toward other social or racial groups.
• Supremacist: A person who believes that a particular group, especially one determined by race, religion, or sex, is superior and should dominate others (e.g., ).

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To espouse racialist views: To adopt or support racialist beliefs.
  • The group was known to espouse racialist views.
• Racialist ideology: The systematic body of concepts and beliefs underlying racialism.
  • The regime was founded on a dangerous racialist ideology.

Noun

1. a person with a prejudiced belief that one race is superior to others