apartheid

noun

Definition of apartheidnext
as in segregation
a former social system in South Africa in which black people and people from other racial groups did not have the same political and economic rights as white people and were forced to live separately from white people

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for apartheid
  1. segregation
  2. discrimination
Noun
  • In 1954, the Supreme Court overturned its 1896 decision that upheld racial segregation.
    — Tom Campbell, Oc Register, 4 July 2026
  • Or even just 62 years to the Civil Rights Act, which outlawed segregation.
    — Susan Bence, NPR, 4 July 2026
Definition of segregation
Noun
  • In May, the EEOC filed a discrimination lawsuit against the New York Times alleging discrimination against a white male employee, which the Times has rejected as politically motivated.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Calling for reinstatement of the team, the group said the school’s decision was based on false information and amounted to gender discrimination under Title IX.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of discrimination
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Cite this Entry

“Apartheid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apartheid. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on apartheid

Nglish: Translation of apartheid for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about apartheid

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