un-American

[ uhn-uh-mer-i-kuhn ]

adjective

1. not American; not characteristic of or proper to the U.S.; foreign or opposed to the characters, values, standards, goals, etc., of the U.S.

un-American

adjective

1. not in accordance with the aims, ideals, customs, etc, of the US
2. against the interests of the US

un-American

1. A term used, primarily by extreme conservatives , to attack principles or practices considered to be at odds with the values of most Americans. Many object to the use of the term on the grounds that it is vague, shortsighted, and intolerant.

Notes

The House of Representatives maintained a Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) for several years. It was especially known for investigation of alleged communists . ( See Alger Hiss .)

Derived Forms

• ˌun-Aˈmericanˌism, noun

Other Words From

• un-A·meri·can·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of un-American¹

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20

Example Sentences

And the solution — regulating industry — seemed downright un-American.

From Los Angeles Times

"The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters. His — his — his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it’s un-American," Biden said.

From Salon

"He will divide, he will insult, he will find new ways to be more un-American than he already has been, and we, the people, will get nothing but more anger."

From Salon

“The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it’s un-American. It’s totally contrary to everything we’ve done.”

From Los Angeles Times

“They’ve made it very clear, Trump and his minions, what they want, and it’s not democracy. It’s fundamentally un-American,” Maron adds.

From Los Angeles Times