prejudice

An unfair negative opinion about someone or something, formed without knowing the facts.

• Prejudice can hurt people.
• She faced prejudice because of her accent.
• We must challenge these prejudices.

How to use it: prejudice against someone/something (He experienced prejudice against foreign workers.)

Similar words: bias

Common phrases: racial prejudice, prejudice against someone, deep prejudice

Unfair dislike or hatred of people because of their race, religion, or other shared background.

• Racial prejudice hurts many people.
• She faced prejudice because of her religion.
• The school teaches children to challenge prejudice.

How to use it: prejudice against someone (They experienced prejudice against people from their country.)

Similar words: bigotry, intolerance

Opposites: tolerance

Common phrases: racial prejudice, religious prejudice, prejudice against someone

An opinion, usually negative, formed before you know enough about someone or something.

• Try to judge the proposal without prejudice.
• His prejudice against online courses changed after he took one.
• We all have prejudices that can affect our decisions.

How to use it: prejudice against someone/something (Her prejudice against the author prevented her from reading his books.)

Similar words: bias, preconception

Opposites: impartiality

Common phrases: prejudice against something, without prejudice, personal prejudice

A feeling or preference about something formed before you have tried or experienced it.

• She admitted a prejudice in favor of handmade furniture.
• His prejudice against city life softened after the move.
• Set aside your prejudices and try the dish.

How to use it: prejudice in favor of something (I have a prejudice in favor of small family shops.); prejudice against something (He has a prejudice against unfamiliar foods.)

Similar words: bias, preconception

Common phrases: prejudice in favor, prejudice against something, personal prejudice

An opinion or feeling you already have before learning about something, whether good or bad.

• Everyone brings some prejudice to a new experience.
• Her prejudice in favour of handmade goods influenced her choice.
• He examined his own prejudices before reading the report.

Similar words: preconception

Common phrases: positive prejudice, prejudice in favour, personal prejudice

To influence someone so that they judge a person or situation unfairly.

• The article could prejudice the jury.
• His comments prejudiced her against the new teacher.
• Do not let one bad experience prejudice your judgment.

How to use it: prejudice someone against someone/something (The rumours prejudiced voters against the candidate.)

Similar words: bias

Common phrases: prejudice someone against, prejudice the jury