Bigotry is a term that we hear often, but not everyone knows its meaning. It is a word that is used to describe a person or group who holds strong, narrow-minded, and intolerant views towards a particular race, religion, or belief system. Bigotry is a negative trait that can lead to discrimination, prejudice, and even violence. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of bigotry, its origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences.
Definitions
Bigotry can be defined as an intolerance or prejudice against people who hold different beliefs, values, or opinions. It is a form of discrimination that is based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other factors that make people different from one another. Bigotry can manifest in various forms, such as hate speech, violence, exclusion, and marginalization.
Origin
The word bigotry has its roots in the French language, where it was used to describe a person who was obstinate or intolerant. The term was later adopted in English and has been used since the 16th century. It is believed that the word bigotry comes from the Middle French word “bigot,” which means “sanctimonious person.”
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, bigotry is “intolerance towards those who hold different opinions from oneself.” Merriam-Webster defines bigotry as “obstinate or intolerant devotion to one’s own opinions and prejudices.”
Associations
Bigotry is often associated with negative traits such as intolerance, prejudice, discrimination, and hatred. It is also linked to social issues such as racism, sexism, homophobia, and religious persecution. Bigotry can lead to social unrest, conflict, and violence.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of bigotry include intolerance, prejudice, narrow-mindedness, bias, discrimination, and dogmatism.
Antonyms
Antonyms of bigotry include acceptance, tolerance, open-mindedness, impartiality, and fairness.
The same root words
The word bigotry shares the same root words with other related terms, such as “bigot,” “bigoted,” and “bigotry.” These words all have the same French origin and are used to describe a person who is intolerant or obstinate in their beliefs.
Example Sentences
- Jane’s bigotry towards people of different religions was evident in her refusal to attend her friend’s wedding ceremony.
- The politician’s bigoted comments about immigrants sparked outrage among the public.
- John’s narrow-mindedness and intolerance made it difficult for him to work with people who had different opinions.
- The school’s policy of excluding students based on their sexual orientation was a clear example of bigotry.
- The organization’s commitment to diversity and inclusion was a positive step towards combating bigotry and discrimination.