segregationist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (historical/political context specific)Formal, academic, historical, political; often pejorative.
Quick answer
What does “segregationist” mean?
A person who supports or advocates for the enforced separation of different racial, ethnic, or religious groups, especially in housing, education, or public facilities.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who supports or advocates for the enforced separation of different racial, ethnic, or religious groups, especially in housing, education, or public facilities.
An adherent to policies or ideologies that maintain systematic division between groups, often based on a belief in the superiority of one group or the perceived necessity of keeping groups apart to preserve cultural purity, social order, or privilege. Can extend metaphorically to contexts of gender, class, or ideology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly referenced in American English regarding US history. In British English, often used in discussing historical colonialism, Northern Ireland's history, or apartheid.
Connotations
Universally negative, denoting outdated, discriminatory, and often racist policies.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English due to prominence of Civil Rights era discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “segregationist” in a Sentence
[be] a segregationist[support/vote for] the segregationists[denounce/oppose] the segregationist policiesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “segregationist” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The former MP was revealed to have held segregationist views in his early political career.
- The documentary examined the tactics of British segregationists in colonial Africa.
American English
- The governor was a notorious segregationist who refused to desegregate schools.
- Many segregationists opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in discussions of corporate history, diversity & inclusion case studies.
Academic
Common in history, political science, sociology, and critical race theory texts.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Used when discussing history, politics, or social issues.
Technical
Used in legal/historical analysis of discriminatory laws and systems.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “segregationist”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “segregationist”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “segregationist”
- Misspelling as 'segregationist' (missing 'g').
- Using it as a neutral term; it is evaluative.
- Confusing with 'integrationist' (opposite meaning).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, but it can be extended to enforced separation based on religion, ethnicity, or gender, though more specific terms (e.g., 'sexist') are often preferred.
No. In modern usage, it is almost exclusively pejorative, describing views considered morally wrong and historically regressive.
All segregationists (in a racial context) are advocating a racist policy, but not all racists are necessarily active segregationists. 'Segregationist' specifies a belief in formal, institutional separation.
Not directly. The related verb is 'to segregate'. A person who segregates is a 'segregator', but 'segregationist' is the more common term for an ideological supporter.
A person who supports or advocates for the enforced separation of different racial, ethnic, or religious groups, especially in housing, education, or public facilities.
Segregationist is usually formal, academic, historical, political; often pejorative. in register.
Segregationist: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɛɡrɪˈɡeɪʃ(ə)nɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɛɡrəˈɡeɪʃ(ə)nɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A dinosaur of the segregationist era.”
- “Carrying the segregationist torch.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SEGREGATION-IST. An '-ist' is a person who believes in something. A segregationist believes in segregation.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL ORDER AS PHYSICAL SEPARATION/DIVISION; PURITY AS SEPARATION; PROGRESS AS INTEGRATION.
Practice
Quiz
In a modern business context, calling a colleague a 'segregationist' would most likely be: