reverse discrimination: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Legal, Political, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “reverse discrimination” mean?
The practice or policy of favouring individuals belonging to groups considered disadvantaged or previously discriminated against, potentially resulting in unfair treatment of individuals from historically dominant or majority groups.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The practice or policy of favouring individuals belonging to groups considered disadvantaged or previously discriminated against, potentially resulting in unfair treatment of individuals from historically dominant or majority groups.
In legal and sociological contexts, claims or policies designed to redress historical discrimination through preferential treatment (e.g., affirmative action) that some perceive as creating new forms of discrimination against members of a majority or previously advantaged group. It is a highly politicised and contested term.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both varieties, but it is more frequently debated and legally defined in the American context due to extensive affirmative action case law. In the UK, 'positive discrimination' is generally illegal, so related debates may use terms like 'positive action' instead.
Connotations
In both regions, the term carries strong negative connotations for those who use it, implying injustice. It is less a neutral descriptor and more a rhetorical tool in political discourse.
Frequency
Higher frequency in US English, particularly in legal, political, and media discussions about employment and university admissions.
Grammar
How to Use “reverse discrimination” in a Sentence
[Subject] alleges/accuses [Institution] of reverse discrimination.[Policy X] has led to charges of reverse discrimination.There is a growing perception of reverse discrimination among [Group Y].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reverse discrimination” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Some white candidates believe the council's diversity policy effectively reverse-discriminates against them.
- He claimed to have been reverse-discriminated in the promotion round.
American English
- The lawsuit alleges the university reverse-discriminates against Asian-American applicants.
- They argued the policy would reverse-discriminate based on gender.
adjective
British English
- The tribunal examined the reverse-discrimination claim in detail.
- He cited a feeling of reverse-discrimination bias in the workplace.
American English
- The case set a precedent for reverse-discrimination lawsuits.
- The policy had unintended reverse-discrimination effects.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in HR contexts regarding hiring/promotion quotas, potentially leading to tribunal cases.
Academic
Central term in sociology, political science, and critical race theory debates.
Everyday
Appears in media discussions about fairness in university admissions or job allocations.
Technical
A legal term of art in employment law and constitutional law (especially US).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “reverse discrimination”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “reverse discrimination”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reverse discrimination”
- Using it as a neutral, technical synonym for 'affirmative action'. It is a contested term. / Capitalising it as a proper noun (unless starting a sentence). / Confusing it with general 'discrimination' – the 'reverse' specifies a perceived shift in target groups.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Affirmative action' refers to policies aimed at increasing opportunities for underrepresented groups. 'Reverse discrimination' is a term used by critics to negatively characterise what they see as the unfair outcomes of such policies.
In many jurisdictions, including the US and UK, discrimination against *any* individual based on protected characteristics (like race or sex) is illegal. Therefore, if a court finds that a policy meant to help one group unlawfully disadvantages another, it can be ruled illegal discrimination.
It is controversial because it often equates the historical, systemic discrimination against marginalised groups with the perceived disadvantages faced by majority groups under remedial policies. Critics argue this ignores vast differences in power, history, and systemic impact.
A classic alleged example is a university admissions programme that gives significant preferential points to applicants from certain racial minorities, resulting in a higher-scoring applicant from the majority racial group being rejected. The rejected applicant might claim reverse discrimination.
The practice or policy of favouring individuals belonging to groups considered disadvantaged or previously discriminated against, potentially resulting in unfair treatment of individuals from historically dominant or majority groups.
Reverse discrimination is usually formal, academic, legal, political, journalistic in register.
Reverse discrimination: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˌvɜːs dɪˌskrɪmɪˈneɪʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˌvɜːrs dɪˌskrɪmɪˈneɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A cure worse than the disease (used by critics).”
- “Levelling the playing field (used by proponents of affirmative action, rejecting the 'reverse discrimination' label).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a video played in REVERSE: discrimination flowing backwards, hitting the group it originally came from.
Conceptual Metaphor
CORRECTIVE ACTION AS A PENDULUM SWING (The pendulum of justice has swung too far in the opposite direction).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'reverse discrimination' MOST appropriately and precisely used?