affirmative action
4 synonyms for affirmative action, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A policy of actively favouring people from groups that have historically faced discrimination, especially in university admissions, hiring and government contracting, in order to increase their representation.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
positive discrimination
positive action
preferential treatment
equal opportunity policy
How to use affirmative action
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
affirmative action policy
affirmative action programme
ban affirmative action
affirmative action in admissions
A neutral term in law and policy writing, but politically loaded in everyday debate; choose it deliberately.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between affirmative action and positive discrimination?
They describe the same broad idea, but the labels differ by country and carry different legal weight. 'Affirmative action' is the American term for lawful measures that favour under-represented groups, while 'positive discrimination' is the British term and is generally unlawful in the UK, where only 'positive action' such as targeted outreach and tie-break selection is permitted.
Is affirmative action still legal in the United States?
It depends on the context. In 2023 the US Supreme Court ruled that race-conscious admissions programmes at universities were unconstitutional, though applicants may still discuss how race has affected them personally. Other forms of affirmative action, such as federal contracting goals and outreach programmes, remain in place.
Does affirmative action only apply to race?
No. Affirmative action programmes have covered sex, disability and veteran status as well as race and ethnicity. In practice, university admissions policies attracted the most attention, but employment and contracting rules are the older and wider application.
