Synonyms of prejudice

prejudice 1 of 2

noun

ˈpre-jə-dəs 

1

as in bias

an attitude that always favors one way of feeling or acting especially without considering any other possibilities

her lifelong prejudice against doing "dirty" jobs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bias
• partisanship
• partiality
• tendency
• tendentiousness
• one-sidedness
• chauvinism
• ply
• favoritism
• parti pris
• nonobjectivity
• favor
• nepotism
• cronyism
• predisposition
• prejudgment
• inclination
• predilection
• proclivity
• penchant
• propensity
• preconception
• prepossession
• bent
• self-opinionatedness
• leaning
• self-partiality

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• neutrality
• objectivity
• indifference
• impartiality
• detachment
• hate
• calm
• open-mindedness
• unbiasedness
• dislike
• distaste
• aversion
• dispassion
• scunner

2

as in racism

hatred of or discrimination against a person or persons based on their race

fought racial prejudice through the use of the court system

Synonyms & Similar Words

• racism
• segregation
• racialism
• bigotry
• intolerance
• apartheid
• Jim Crow
• narrowness
• race-baiting
• separatism
• narrow-mindedness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• antidiscrimination
• antiracism
• assimilationism
• antisegregation

prejudice

2 of 2

verb

as in to bias

to cause to have often negative opinions formed without sufficient knowledge

all the bad stories I had heard about the incoming CEO prejudiced me against him even before the first meeting

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bias
• turn
• convince
• poison
• persuade
• influence
• predispose
• incline
• dispose
• prepossess
• suggest

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun prejudice contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of prejudice are bias, predilection, and prepossession. While all these words mean "an attitude of mind that predisposes one to favor something," prejudice usually implies an unfavorable prepossession and connotes a feeling rooted in suspicion, fear, or intolerance.

a mindless prejudice against the unfamiliar

When would bias be a good substitute for prejudice?

The synonyms bias and prejudice are sometimes interchangeable, but bias implies an unreasoned and unfair distortion of judgment in favor of or against a person or thing.

a strong bias toward the plaintiff

When is predilection a more appropriate choice than prejudice?

The words predilection and prejudice are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, predilection implies a strong liking deriving from one's temperament or experience.

a predilection for travel

In what contexts can prepossession take the place of prejudice?

The meanings of prepossession and prejudice largely overlap; however, prepossession suggests a fixed conception likely to preclude objective judgment of anything counter to it.

a prepossession against technology

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of prejudice

Noun

In his ruling, the judge criticized the DOJ’s request to dismiss the case without prejudice, which would have allowed for future prosecution, CNBC reports. —Essence Editors, Essence, 3 Apr. 2025

The dismissal of the case is with prejudice, meaning the corruption charges in the indictment may not be revived in the future. —Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 2 Apr. 2025

Verb

The State denied her right to due process by keeping from the jury evidence favorable to the defendant, and this suppression prejudiced her case. —Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025

The lovers face many obstacles in life, from poverty to prejudice to their own insecurities and disappointments. —Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025