Learn English – Word meaning the reverse of ‘Xenophobia’

antonymsmeaningnounssingle-word-requests

Xenophobia refers to the irrational fear or hatred of foreigners. But recently I've seen people displaying (in newspaper articles and other places) an irrational fear or hatred of their own countrymen. Is there a word for that?

Best Answer

Wiktionary says:

Antonyms

  • xenomania
  • xenophilia
  • xenophily
  • allophilia (more general)

This is, however, not exactly what you are looking for, since being attracted to foreigners does not imply hating your compatriots. Allophilia won't fly at all, because it's an antonym for all kinds of prejudice.

I think your best bet is just to be specific: anti-Americanism, anti-Canadianism, anti-Ukrainian sentiment, anti-Irish sentiment, sinophobia, lusophobia and so forth:

  • Americans are increasingly displaying anti-Americanism.
  • Sinophobia is on the rise in China.
  • Russian teenagers are showing signs of anti-Russian sentiment.

This will be understood by far more people than any generic term for "irrational fear or hatred of one's own countrymen" we can come up with.

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