Ku Klux Klan

noun

ˈkü-ˈkləks-ˈklan How to pronounce Ku Klux Klan (audio)
 also  ˈkyü-,
 or  ˈklü-
1
: a violent secret fraternal society founded in 1915 in Georgia to maintain white Protestant cultural and political power
also : any one of more than 20 hate (see hate entry 1 sense 1c) groups that associate themselves with the Ku Klux Klan
2
: a violent post-Civil War secret society founded in Tennessee in 1866 to upend the Black political and social power that was being established during Reconstruction

Note: This Ku Klux Klan had largely dissolved by the end of the 1870s.

Examples of Ku Klux Klan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The campaign takes aim at Shapiro's comparison of some pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses to the Ku Klux Klan, as well as his opposition to a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Andrew Solender, Axios, 1 Aug. 2024 In a November 2018 congressional hearing, then-Sen. Harris suggested that ICE was perceived in a similar way to the Ku Klux Klan during a confirmation hearing of Ronald Vitiello, the nominee to head the agency. Anna Giaritelli, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Aug. 2024 The Ku Klux Klan littered the streets with pamphlets, and the governor called in the National Guard. Shepherd and Irvin, who were both 22, were best friends from Groveland, and were beaten along with Greenlee, who was 16, in Lake County’s jail following their arrests. Stephen Hudak, Orlando Sentinel, 31 July 2024 The Ku Klux Klan experienced a renaissance, expanding beyond the rural South and into Northern cities, the Midwest, and the Pacific Northwest, under the banner of white Protestantism. Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 29 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for Ku Klux Klan 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Ku Klux Klan.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of Ku Klux Klan was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near Ku Klux Klan

Cite this Entry

“Ku Klux Klan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Ku%20Klux%20Klan. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

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