white supremacy

[hwahyt suh-prem-uh-see, wahyt]

noun

1. the belief, theory, or doctrine that white people are inherently superior to people from all other racial and ethnic groups, especially Black people, and are therefore rightfully the dominant group in any society.

White supremacy

noun

1. the theory or belief that White people are innately superior to people of other races

Other Word Forms

• white supremacist noun
• White supremacist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of white supremacy¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Example Sentences

Supreme Court ruled that the practice was unconstitutional and based on an inherently racist law meant to uphold white supremacy, but the decision only applied in cases going forward; the court left the decision about what to do with those convicted long ago to the states.

From Salon

Gutting Twitter, rebranding it as X.com, and removing content safeguards made the social media platform a more effective propaganda machine for disinformation and white supremacy.

From Salon

As a sociologist studying extremism and white supremacy since 1993, I have watched the movement shift from formal organizations to small, decentralized cells – a change embodied most clearly by Active Clubs.

From Salon

The ads, featuring the blond-haired, blue-eyed actress reading the copy, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My jeans are blue,” were quickly called out by critics, including Lizzo, for their unsettling overtones of white supremacy and eugenics.

From Salon

The town Ned is from is named for James K. Vardaman, former governor of Mississippi who once declared that “if it is necessary every Negro in the state will be lynched; it will be done to maintain white supremacy.”

From Salon