reverse discrimination

noun

: discrimination against whites or males (as in employment or education)

Examples of reverse discrimination in a Sentence

He claimed that reverse discrimination was to blame for his unemployment.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Part of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human rights organization, the Museum of Tolerance showcases historical and contemporary exhibits that aim to tackle and reverse discrimination and prejudice in all forms and contexts, as well as help visitors understand the Holocaust. Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026 Right-wing perspectives presented in search results argue that South African land reform and affirmative action policies constitute persecution of the white minority, framing these policies as forms of reverse discrimination that threaten economic security. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2026 The case could allow states to eliminate majority-minority congressional districts, which some conservatives have argued is another instance of reverse discrimination against white Americans. David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2026 For some Bolivians, their policies and rhetoric felt like reverse discrimination, such as holding some public service positions for Indigenous applicants or requiring officials to speak an official language in addition to Spanish. Whitney Eulich, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reverse discrimination

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reverse discrimination was in 1964

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reverse discrimination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reverse%20discrimination. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Legal Definition

reverse discrimination

noun
: discrimination against whites or males (as in employment or education)

More from Merriam-Webster on reverse discrimination

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster