microaggression
noun
mi·cro·ag·gres·sion
ˌmī-krō-ə-ˈgre-shən 
: a comment or action that subtly and often unconsciously or unintentionally expresses a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group (such as a racial minority)
A digital photo project run by a Fordham University student about "racial microaggressions" features minority students holding up signs with comments like "You're really pretty … for a dark-skin girl."—
Jinnie Spiegler
Jinnie SpieglerThere is a real and worthy conversation taking place in this country now, particularly among young people, around the idea of microaggressions—slight, often unintended discriminatory comments or behaviors.—Charles M. Blow
Charles M. Blow
also
: behavior or speech that is characterized by such comments or actions
… argues that the power of microaggression lies in its invisibility to the perpetrator, who typically finds it difficult to believe that he or she possesses biased attitudes. —Emily Skop
Emily Skop
microaggressive
adjective
microaggressive behaviors
… the group quite clearly criticized his teaching as microaggressive.
—Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt
Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt
microaggressor
noun
Even "microaggressions" websites themselves would be unobjectionable to some of their critics if they merely made the case that certain phrases and behaviors should be avoided. What these critics find objectionable are two other aspects of "microaggressions" culture: attempts to publicly shame "microaggressors;" and attempts to punish alleged "microaggressors" by reporting them to the authorities.
—Conor Friedersdorf
Conor Friedersdorf
Examples of microaggression in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
How did that sort of microaggression inspire your title?
—Jane Ciabattari
august 26, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2025
Some of those words and phrases, contained within several different categories, include holding space, microaggression, triggering, systems of oppression, the unhoused, pregnant people, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and involuntary confinement.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
Some unhinged lefties stuck in microaggression mode from the ’90s seem to think Sweeney is touting eugenics, harkeing back to the Master Race insanity.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 5 Aug. 2025
Faced with so many bike lanes, a billboard for a microaggression lawyer, and the final insult, Oklahoma-style barbecue, Hank seeks refuge at the Mega Lo Mart to purchase an emotional-support spanner wrench.
—Genevieve Koski, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2025
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Jane Ciabattari
august 26, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2025
Some of those words and phrases, contained within several different categories, include holding space, microaggression, triggering, systems of oppression, the unhoused, pregnant people, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and involuntary confinement.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
Some unhinged lefties stuck in microaggression mode from the ’90s seem to think Sweeney is touting eugenics, harkeing back to the Master Race insanity.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 5 Aug. 2025
Faced with so many bike lanes, a billboard for a microaggression lawyer, and the final insult, Oklahoma-style barbecue, Hank seeks refuge at the Mega Lo Mart to purchase an emotional-support spanner wrench.
—Genevieve Koski, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for microaggression
Cite this Entry
“Microaggression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microaggression. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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