Prejudice vs. Bigotry — What's the Difference?

Prejudgment or bias based on limited information.

Manifests in harmful actions or discrimination.

A cognitive shortcut that simplifies complex realities.

Strong, often irrational hatred or intolerance toward specific groups.

Can be towards individuals or groups.

A more extreme form of prejudice.

Prejudice can be an affective feeling towards a person based on their perceived group membership. The word is often used to refer to a preconceived (usually unfavourable) evaluation or classification of another person based on that person's perceived political affiliation, sex, gender, beliefs, values, social class, age, disability, religion, sexuality, race, ethnicity, language, nationality, complexion, beauty, height, occupation, wealth, education, criminality, sport-team affiliation, music tastes or other personal characteristics.The word "prejudice" can also refer to unfounded or pigeonholed beliefs and it may apply to "any unreasonable attitude that is unusually resistant to rational influence".

Less likely to be swayed by rational argument.

The act or state of holding unreasonable preconceived judgments or convictions

The attitude, state of mind, or behavior characteristic of a bigot; intolerance.

An adverse judgment or opinion formed unfairly or without knowledge of the facts

Characteristic qualities of a bigot: (especially religious, anti-religious or racial) intolerant prejudice, opinionatedness, or fanaticism; fanatic intolerance.

Irrational suspicion or hatred of a particular social group, such as a race or the adherents of a religion.

(dated) Obstinate prejudice or opinionatedness.

Detriment or harm caused to a person, especially in a legal case

The state of mind of a bigot; obstinate and unreasoning attachment of one's own belief and opinions, with narrow-minded intolerance of beliefs opposed to them.

Preclusionary effect, preventing further pursuit of one's interests

The practice or tenets of a bigot.

To fill with prejudice or cause to judge with prejudice

The intolerance and prejudice of a bigot

To affect detrimentally or harmfully by a judgment or act

Typically targets characteristics like race, religion, or sexual orientation.

(countable) An adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge of the facts.

(countable) A preconception, any preconceived opinion or feeling, whether positive or negative.

(countable) An irrational hostile attitude, fear or hatred towards a particular group, race or religion.

(obsolete) Knowledge formed in advance; foresight, presaging.

Mischief; hurt; damage; injury; detriment.

(transitive) To have a negative impact on (someone's position, chances etc.).

(transitive) To cause prejudice in; to bias the mind of.

Foresight.

An opinion or judgment formed without due examination; prejudgment; a leaning toward one side of a question from other considerations than those belonging to it; an unreasonable predilection for, or objection against, anything; especially, an opinion or leaning adverse to anything, without just grounds, or before sufficient knowledge.

A bias on the part of judge, juror, or witness which interferes with fairness of judgment.

Mischief; hurt; damage; injury; detriment.

To cause to have prejudice; to prepossess with opinions formed without due knowledge or examination; to bias the mind of, by hasty and incorrect notions; to give an unreasonable bent to, as to one side or the other of a cause; as, to prejudice a critic or a juryman.

To obstruct or injure by prejudices, or by previous bias of the mind; hence, generally, to hurt; to damage; to injure; to impair; as, to prejudice a good cause.

A partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation

Disadvantage by prejudice

Influence (somebody's) opinion in advance

Can be either positive or negative.

Can manifest in attitudes, beliefs, or actions.

No, prejudice can be either positive or negative.

Bigotry is an intense, irrational hatred or intolerance towards certain groups.

Bigotry is typically negative and results in discriminatory behavior.

No, "bigotry" functions only as a noun.

Yes, bigotry is a more extreme form of prejudice.

Often, prejudice is based on limited or incorrect information.

Prejudice is a preconceived opinion or bias, often based on limited information.

Prejudice can be reconsidered and changed upon receiving new information.

Yes, "prejudice" can function as a verb meaning to pre-judge.

Bigotry is often more rigid and less open to change.

Bigotry usually leads to discriminatory or harmful actions.

Bigotry often stems from irrational beliefs and is less likely to be swayed by facts.

The plural form is "prejudices."

Prejudice can lead to discrimination but it is not always the case.

The plural form is "bigotries."