Supremacist
/suːˈprɛməsɪst/
Definitions
2 meaningsA person who believes in the superiority of a particular group, often based on race, ethnicity, or other characteristics, and advocates for their dominance.
/suːˈprɛməsɪst/
A person who believes that a particular group is superior to all others.
The group was accused of being a hate group and of promoting supremacist views.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone who thinks their group of friends is the best and everyone else is not as good. A supremacist believes their group (like a race or religion) is better than all others.
👶 For kids: Someone who thinks their group is the best group in the whole world, and that other groups are not as good.
More Examples
The politician was criticized for associating with known supremacists.
Historians study the actions of supremacists to understand their impact on society.
How It's Used
"White supremacists often advocate for policies that favor white people and discriminate against other races."
"The study examined the history of various supremacist ideologies and their impact on society."
Relating to, or characterized by, the belief in the superiority of a particular group and the desire to dominate others.
/suːˈprɛməsɪst/
Characterized by the belief in the superiority of a particular group.
The article exposed the supremacist underpinnings of the group's actions.
💡 Simply: When something is described as 'supremacist', it shows that someone thinks their group is better than all others. Like, a 'supremacist' group is a group that believes it's the best.
👶 For kids: When something is 'supremacist' it means it's about thinking your group is the best, and other groups are not as good.
More Examples
His speech was filled with supremacist rhetoric.
The government is fighting against supremacist ideologies.
How It's Used
"The organization espoused supremacist ideology."
"Supremacist propaganda was spread throughout the region."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
white supremacist
A person who believes that white people are superior to all other races and should therefore dominate society.
"The organization is labeled as a white supremacist hate group."
racial supremacist
A person who believes that one race is superior to others.
"The racial supremacist's writings promoted hatred and violence."
Derived from "supreme" (Latin "supremus," meaning "highest") and the suffix "-ist" (denoting a person who adheres to a belief or practice). The term's usage intensified in the context of racial and ethnic ideologies, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The term gained prominence in the 19th and 20th centuries, associated with colonialism, eugenics, and the Nazi regime.
Memory tip
Think of 'supreme' + 'ist': someone who thinks their group is the supreme (highest) group.