Synonyms of anti-immigrantnext
: opposed to immigrants or immigration : characterized by or expressing opposition to or hostility toward immigrants
State and local politicians have used widespread public opposition to immigration to justify new anti-immigrant legislation.—Robert K. Schaeffer
anti-immigration
ˌan-tē-ˌi-mə-ˈgrā-shən, 
ˌan-tī- How to pronounce anti-immigrant (audio)
adjective
anti-immigration policies
News of the rising growth rate also prompted anti-immigration groups to claim that immigrants damage the environment. —Priscilla Huang

Examples of anti-immigrant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The act itself was fueled by anti-immigrant sentiment following the refugee exodus from Cuba, also known as the Mariel boatlift, which brought approximately 125,000 Cubans to Florida. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 This reaction is often tinged with right-wing politics—in the past year, there has been an increase in anti-immigrant, homophobic, Islamophobic, and antisemitic chants. — Vanda Mayer, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2026 But the populist, anti-migrant party – which won big in England’s local elections earlier this year – clearly poses a threat to Burnham, particularly as anti-immigrant sentiments are bubbling to the surface in some parts of the country. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026 Later, she’s brought in a police car to a nearby pond, strapped to an excavator and dunked into the water as a crowd of anti-immigrant protestors cheer on the public execution. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for anti-immigrant

Word History

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anti-immigrant was in 1858

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Cite this Entry

“Anti-immigrant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-immigrant. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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