Anti-Semitism is hostility toward or prejudice against people of Jewish background, often manifesting as discrimination, stereotypes, or violence. It refers specifically to antagonism rooted in ethnic, religious, or cultural identity, historically arising from social, political, and religious tensions. The term encompasses attitudes, words, and actions that demean or threaten Jews as a group.
"Her campaign focused on combating anti-Semitism in schools and communities."
"The rise of online misinformation has fueled new forms of anti-Semitism."
"Several countries have enacted laws to curb anti-Semitism and protect minority rights."
"Research shows a correlation between economic anxiety and spikes in anti-Semitism during crises."
Anti-Semitism is derived from the prefix anti- + Semite. The term Semite originally referred to a language group including Hebrew and related languages, adopted in the 19th century to describe a broader ethnolinguistic category. The word anti- Semite first appeared in English in the late 19th century, popularized by writers who used it to label hostility toward Judaism as a racial or ethnic bias rather than mere religious disagreement. Early usage connected to political movements in Europe that blamed Jews for societal issues. By the 20th century, the term solidified in scholarly and public discourse to denote systemic prejudice, discrimination, and acts of hatred directed at Jewish people. The evolution reflects shifting understandings of race, ethnicity, and religion, with the term now entrenched in discussions of antisemitism, anti-Jewish rhetoric, and anti-Jewish violence across many languages and cultures.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Anti-Semitism" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Anti-Semitism"
-ism sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce as: /ˌæn.ti səˈmɪ.tɪ.zəm/. Break it into four syllables: AN-ti sə-MI-ti-zum. The primary stress lands on the third syllable of the word, ‘MI’, while the second syllable is a reduced, unstressed schwa. Begin with a light /æ/ as in cat, then an unstressed /ə/ in the second syllable, followed by a clear /ˈmɪ/ in the third, and finish with /zəm/. Lip position: neutral to slightly rounded lips for the initial /æ/ and a relaxed jaw for the schwas. Tounge tip rests near the alveolar ridge for /n/ and /t/ blends, then the /m/ and /z/ at the end. Audio reference: you can compare with standard dictionaries or YouTube pronunciation videos that emphasize the right stress on -mi-. IPA reference: US: /ˌæn.ti səˈmɪ.tɪ.zəm/; UK: /ˌæn.ti səˈmɪ.tɪ.zəm/.
Common mistakes include stressing the wrong syllable (placing emphasis on 'an' or 'se' instead of 'mi'), and mispronouncing the 'ti' that should be a soft /tɪ/ rather than a hard /ti/. Another error is turning the final -ism into -ize or slurring the middle consonants. Correction tips: practice with the four-syllable rhythm: AN-ti | sə-MI-ti | zəm, keeping the third syllable stressed and the rest lightly spoken. Use minimal pairs to stabilize: /ˌæn.ti səˈmɪ.tɪ.zəm/ vs /ˌæn.ti səˈmɪ.zəm/.
In US, the /æ/ in the first syllable is similar to “cat,” with a rhotic American /r/ absent; in UK, the /æ/ is similar, but vowels around can be non-rhotic and the second syllable may be reduced slightly with /ə/ in 'sə-'. Australian English tends to be medial vowels a bit more centralized and faster, with less precise enunciation of /ˈmɪ/ and a very light final /zəm/; all maintain the main stress on the /ˈmɪ/ syllable. IPA anchors: US /ˌæn.ti səˈmɪ.tɪ.zəm/, UK /ˌæn.ti səˈmɪ.tɪ.zəm/, AU /ˌæn.ti səˈmɪ.tɪ.zəm/.
Three main challenges: the multi-syllabic structure with four syllables; the stress on the third syllable requires keeping the earlier syllables light while delivering a strong /ˈmɪ/; and the sequence /səˈmɪ/ can invite a weakened vowel or devoicing of the /z/ before the schwa. Practically, you should anchor the strong syllable on /ˈmɪ/ and keep the first two syllables brief, then clearly pronounce /zəm/ without extra vowel length.
There are no silent letters in Anti-Semitism; all letters participate in producing distinct sounds. The letters 'ti' yield /tɪ/ rather than a separate silent consonant; the final -sm is pronounced with a clear /zəm/ sound rather than being silent. The key is not silent letters but proper vowel reduction in the second syllable ('sə') and correct syllable stress on the third syllable ('MI'). IPA reminders help avoid guessing or skipping sounds.
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