prejudice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prejudice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing preconceived opinions or judgments about individuals or groups, often without sufficient knowledge or understanding. Example: "Her prejudice against certain cultures prevented her from making new friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Societal attitudes need to change in order to minimise the stigma underpinning sex work and consequently reduce the harm that prejudice has on sex workers.

The Guardian

By not understanding the likely levels of immigration we risk increasing the poisonous rhetoric and prejudice which leads to the destruction of all rational debate.

The Guardian

When you have lived through prejudice and its consequences, it gives your response a personal edge that marks you out from those who haven't.

The Guardian - Opinion

The SDLP described Poots's latest claims as "confusing personal prejudice with prudent policy".

The Guardian

Related: How the new wave of man-trapped-in cat movies could fight puss prejudice Trend: fitness clubs If you need further proof of why John Travolta owes his life, riches and hair implants to Quentin Tarantino's casting prowess, rather than Xenu, this astoundingly bad gym drama should provide it.

The Guardian - Film

On Wednesday night, as the 24-hour pre-poll silence began, the taoiseach, Enda Kenny, said a yes vote would "obliterate prejudice".

The Guardian - Opinion

All the indices of prejudice were up with the worst attitudes reserved for members of the Travelling community.

The Guardian

"If these are initiatives to try to get children to think about identity and prejudice, that can only be a good thing," he says.

The Guardian

For a working-class intellectual (which was how I rather cockily fancied myself as a student) to speak and understand French is to short-circuit many of the stupidities of class prejudice in the UK.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Labour leadership has pandered to prejudice and irrationality on issues including asylum, drugs, terrorism, Europe and crime.

The Guardian - Opinion

When the English Defence League march against Muslims, I may well point to an atmosphere of anti-Muslim prejudice sadly fuelled by people of all political persuasions, but I do not portray them as representatives of the entire British right.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prejudice" to describe preconceived judgments or biases, reserving terms like 'discrimination' for actions resulting from those biases. This distinction promotes precise communication.

Common error

Avoid using "prejudice" and discrimination interchangeably. "Prejudice" refers to the preconceived opinion or feeling, while discrimination is the action or behavior that results from that prejudice. For example, someone may hold a prejudice against a group, but only acts of denying them opportunities or rights is discrimination.

Linguistic Context

"Prejudice" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a preconceived judgment or opinion, often based on limited information. As Ludwig AI shows, this preconceived notion can lead to discriminatory behaviors and perpetuate social inequalities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "prejudice" is a commonly used noun that describes a preconceived judgment or opinion, often negative and based on insufficient knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms that this term is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While technically it can refer to any preconceived notion, it typically implies an unfavorable bias. Understanding its function and communicative purpose is key to using it accurately and effectively. When writing, it is important to differentiate "prejudice" from discrimination, as the former is an attitude, and the latter is the action that arises from it. Alternatives such as "bias", "discrimination", and "bigotry" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bias

Refers to a tendency, inclination, or prejudice toward or against something or someone.

discrimination

Highlights the act of treating individuals or groups unfairly based on certain characteristics.

bigotry

Emphasizes intolerance and strong, unreasonable prejudices, often related to race, religion, or other beliefs.

preconceived notion

Focuses on an idea or opinion formed beforehand, often without adequate evidence.

unjustifiable bias

Highlights that the bias is without a rational or fair basis.

unfounded belief

Focuses on the lack of evidence or reason behind the belief.

narrow-mindedness

Indicates a limited perspective and unwillingness to consider different viewpoints.

partiality

Suggests favoritism or a leaning towards one side over another.

intolerance

Emphasizes a lack of acceptance and respect for differences.

predilection

Suggests a preference or special liking for something; it's a leaning that can be positive but can also lead to unfairness.

FAQs

How is "prejudice" used in a sentence?

The word "prejudice" is commonly used to describe preconceived, often negative, judgments or biases. For example: "His "prejudice against" immigrants influenced his political views."

What's the difference between "prejudice" and discrimination?

"Prejudice" is a preconceived judgment or opinion, often negative, while discrimination is the unfair treatment of individuals based on their group membership. "Prejudice" is an attitude; discrimination is an action.

What can I say instead of "prejudice"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "bias", "discrimination", "bigotry", or "preconceived notion" to convey similar meanings to "prejudice".

Is "prejudice" always negative?

While "prejudice" is often used in a negative context to describe unfair or biased judgments, it can technically refer to any preconceived opinion, whether positive or negative. However, in common usage, it typically implies an unfavorable bias.