xenophobe
noun
xe·no·phobe
ˈze-nə-ˌfōb 
ˈzē-
ˈzē-
: one unduly fearful of what is foreign and especially of people of foreign origin
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Xenophobe Has Greek Roots
Xenophobe is partly based on the Greek noun xenos, meaning "stranger, guest, foreigner". Unlike other phobias, xenophobia isn't really considered an abnormal condition; instead, it's generally thought of as just serious narrow-mindedness, the kind of thinking that goes along with racism and extreme patriotism. In times of war, a government will often actually try to turn all its citizens into xenophobes.
Examples of xenophobe in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And who beyond a xenophobe could possibly believe that one’s education is not enhanced by a classmate from elsewhere in the world, a truth that applies to kindergarten just as much as at Harvard?
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
In the years leading up to the Civil War, the city was beginning to host ever more waves of Irish immigrants, whom xenophobes like Poole targeted.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 11 Oct. 2024
His heroic act definitely serves as a great response to the xenophobes who try to portray all migrants as criminals.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2024
Someone has to stand up for minority rights and immigrants against xenophobes.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 22 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for xenophobe
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The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
In the years leading up to the Civil War, the city was beginning to host ever more waves of Irish immigrants, whom xenophobes like Poole targeted.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 11 Oct. 2024
His heroic act definitely serves as a great response to the xenophobes who try to portray all migrants as criminals.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2024
Someone has to stand up for minority rights and immigrants against xenophobes.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 22 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for xenophobe
Cite this Entry
“Xenophobe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/xenophobe. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
xenophobe
noun
xe·no·phobe
ˈzen-ə-ˌfōb
ˈzēn-
ˈzēn-
: a person unduly fearful of what is foreign and especially of people of foreign origin
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