alt-right

or alt right

[ awlt-rahyt ]

noun

1. a political movement originating on social media and online forums, composed of a segment of conservatives who support extreme right-wing ideologies, including white nationalism and antisemitism (often used attributively): an alt-right candidate.

   the face of the alt-right;

   an alt-right candidate.

Word History and Origins

Origin of alt-right¹

First recorded in 2005–10; associated shortly after with U.S. white nationalist Richard Spencer (born 1978); shortening of alt(ernative) ( def ) + right ( def ) (in the sense “political conservatives”)

Example Sentences

Tanton’s ideas could also be found in the proclamations of the prominent “alt-right” white nationalist leader Richard Spencer.

From Salon

In July 2020, an alt-right group called the New Jersey European Heritage Association began tacking up posters in Pennsylvania warning that immigration would turn the first world into “the third”; the former was pictured as bucolic green hills, the latter as a smog-choked traffic jam.

From Salon

The alt-right was just the cleaned-up reanimated corpse of white nationalism personified by figures like George Lincoln Rockwell, who founded the American Nazi Party in 1959, and William Luther Pierce, who founded the National Alliance in 1974.

From Slate

The host then aired a clip of Vance's recent guest appearance on the "Jack Murphy Live" podcast, hosted by the alt-right blogger and internet personality of the same name.

From Salon

The would-be vice president is a man who spends an excessive amount of time online and in conversation with alt-right, incel-adjacent posters and Elon Musk.

From Salon