Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

play the race card

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.70 in modern English

Syllables: play the race -card
IPA

28

Scrabble Score

15

Letters

2

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To assert that race or racism is involved in a situation, especially in order to exploit racist or antiracist attitudes.

Derogatory

Example Sentences

"The defense played the race card, but Ito let them."
"Moreover, some leaders on both sides of any racial divide love to play the race card to keep themselves in power."
"White man: White privilege? Now you're just playing the race card. Clio: No. I'm not "playing the race card". Because racism isn't a card game to me. It can get me killed or jailed... threaten my livelihood. I don't have the privilege to treat it like a game. White man: Oooo well played!"

Usage

Derogatory

Inflected Forms

plays the race card (present, singular) playing the race card (participle, present) played the race card (participle, past) played the race card (past)

Frequently Paired Words

play the gender card

Questions

What does play the race card mean?: To assert that race or racism is involved in a situation, especially in order to exploit racist or antiracist attitudes.

How to pronounce play the race card

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