Prejudice is usually a noun meaning an unfair or unsupportednot backed by facts, evidence, or proof opinion that makes it hard to judge something objectivelyin a way based on facts rather than feelings or bias. It can also be a verb meaning to influence someone’s opinion in advance, or to cause harm or disadvantagea condition that puts someone at a worse position.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-27. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈprɛdʒədɪs/
Easy pronunciation: PRED-juh-dis (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
Noun meaning an unfair opinion or bias.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-27. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Prejudice Meaning
an unfair opinion that stops you from judging something fairly
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation
Example: The judge said that personal prejudice should not affect the verdict.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- bias — A close, common synonym for this sense.
- preconception — Works when it means a pre-formed opinion, but it is less direct than bias.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-27. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Prejudice
Meaning 2
to shape someone’s opinion before they can judge for themselves
Part of speech: verb
Definition: influence (somebody's) opinion in advance
Example: The report may prejudice investors against the deal.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- prepossess — A valid but formal synonym for influencing opinion in advance.
Meaning 3
to harm or put someone at a disadvantage because of prejudice
Part of speech: verb
Definition: disadvantage by prejudice
Example: The delay could prejudice her chances of promotion.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-27. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Prejudice Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- bias
- preconception
verb: influence (somebody's) opinion in advance
- prepossess
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-27. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Don't confuse prejudice with prejudiced. Prejudice is the noun or verb; prejudiced is the adjective.
- In legal or formal contexts, prejudice as a verb can mean to harm someone's position or chances, which is a different use from simply influencing opinion.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-27. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does prejudice mean?
Prejudice usually means an unfair opinion or tendency that stops someone from judging something objectively. It can also be used as a verb meaning to influence an opinion in advance or to cause disadvantage.
What are the best synonyms for prejudice?
For the noun meaning, the best synonym is bias. Preconception can also work in some contexts. For the verb meaning, prepossess is a formal synonym.
Is prejudice always about discrimination?
No. It often refers to unfair attitudes toward people, but it can also mean any kind of bias that affects judgment.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-27. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
