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Synonyms for race
noun pursuit; running, speeding

run
contention
relay
contest
competition
course

match
sprint
event
chase
rush
clash

clip
engagement
scurry
dash
spurt
go

meet
rivalry
marathon

Synonyms
noun ethnic group

issue
tribe
family
people
color
house
strain

seed
offspring
folk
variety
progeny
breed
species

type
stock
lineage
kindred
nation
blood
nationality

line
clan
kind
culture
kin
cultural group

Antonyms

parent

Synonyms
noun stream, river

run
rill
creek
duct

rivulet
brook
tide
sluice

branch
gill
runnel
raceway

rindle

Synonyms
verb run, speed in competition

fly
shoot
rush
hurry
gallop
tear
scamper
contest
dart

dash
compete
bolt
sprint
hustle
scramble
chase
career
boil

swoop
whisk
course
pursue
fling
haste
scud
skim
hie

outstrip
lash
spurt
post
hasten
wing
bustle
scuttle
plunge ahead

Antonyms

walk
slow
dally

dawdle
delay
procrastinate

wait
stay

Usage Notes

Genetic evidence has undermined the idea of racial divisions of the human species and rendered race obsolete as a biological system of classification. Race therefore should no longer be considered as an objective category, as the term formerly was in expressions like the Caucasian race, the Asian race, the Hispanic race. Instead, if the reference is to a particular inherited physical trait, as skin color or eye shape, that salient feature should be mentioned specifically: discrimination based on color. Rather than using race to generalize about national or geographic origin, or even religious affiliation, it is better to be specific: South Korean, of Polish descent. References to cultural affiliation may refer to ethnicity or ethnic group: Kurdish ethnicity, Hispanic ethnicity. Though race is no longer considered a viable scientific categorization of humans, it continues to be used by the U.S. Census to refer to current prevalent categories of self-identification that include some physical traits, some historical affiliations, and some national origins: black, white, American Indian, Chinese, Samoan, etc. The current version of the census also asks whether or not Americans are of Hispanic origin, which is not considered a race. There are times when it is still accurate to talk about race in society. Though race has lost its biological basis, the sociological consequences of historical racial categories persist. For example, it may be appropriate to invoke race to discuss social or historical events shaped by racial categorizations, as slavery, segregation, integration, discrimination, equal employment policy. Often in these cases, the adjective “racial” is more appropriate than the noun “race.” While the scientific foundation for race is now disputed, racial factors in sociological and historical contexts continue to be relevant.