segregation
5 synonyms and 1 antonyms for segregation, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The enforced separation of people into different groups, especially by race, and the denial of equal treatment that goes with it.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use segregation
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Recorded from 1555, from Latin segregatio, built from segregate plus -ion.
Full origin of segregation →Frequently asked questions
What does “segregation” mean?
The word “segregation” means the enforced separation of people into different groups, especially by race, and the denial of equal treatment that goes with it. In plain terms, the forced separation of groups of people, most often associated with racial injustice; also a general term in genetics and other fields for separating things out.
How do you pronounce “segregation”?
“Segregation” is pronounced sehg-ruh-GAY-shuhn (/sɛɡɹəˈɡeɪ̯ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “segregation” in a sentence?
Here is “segregation” used in a sentence: “The civil rights movement fought to end segregation in the United States.”
What is another word for “segregation”?
Words with a similar meaning to “segregation” include apartheid and Jim Crow law.
What is the opposite of “segregation”?
The opposite of “segregation” — its antonyms — is desegregation.
What part of speech is “segregation”?
“Segregation” is a noun.
Where does the word “segregation” come from?
The word “segregation” dates back to around 1555 and comes from Latin. Recorded from 1555, from Latin segregatio, built from segregate plus -ion.
Is “segregation” a common word?
“Segregation” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between segregation and integration?
Segregation is the enforced separation of people into different groups, especially by race, along with the denial of equal treatment that accompanies it. Integration is the opposite process, bringing separated groups together into shared spaces and institutions with equal access and treatment.
What is the difference between segregation and discrimination?
Segregation specifically refers to the physical or systemic separation of groups, such as separate schools or facilities, while discrimination is the broader unfair treatment of people based on characteristics like race, which can occur with or without physical separation.
Does segregation only apply to race relations?
No. While segregation is most associated with enforced racial separation, the word also describes any act of keeping things or people apart into separate groups, and in genetics it refers to the process by which paired gene versions separate so each parent passes on only one copy to offspring.