Ethnocide is a term used to describe the deliberate and systematic destruction of a culture or ethnic group. It is often synonymous with genocide, which refers to the extermination of an entire ethnic, racial, or national group. Other synonyms for ethnocide include cultural genocide, cultural assimilation, and cultural extinction. Forced assimilation and cultural suppression can also be considered forms of ethnocide, as they seek to impose one culture over another and erase the distinct identity of a people. The ongoing threat of ethnocide highlights the importance of preserving and promoting cultural diversity, tolerance, and respect for human rights across the globe.