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Synonyms

sexist

American  
[sek-sist] / ˈsɛk sɪst /

adjective

  1. relating to, involving, or fostering sexism, or attitudes and behavior toward someone based on the person's gender.

    a sexist remark;

    sexist advertising.

  2. relating to discrimination or devaluation based on a person's sex or gender, especially such discrimination directed against women.

    A sexist work culture contributes to restricted job opportunities for women.

  3. reflecting or exhibiting ingrained or institutionalized prejudice against women.

  4. reflecting or exhibiting hatred, dislike, or mistrust of women; misogynistic.


noun

sexists plural
  1. a person who has sexist attitudes or behaves in a sexist manner.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of sexist

First recorded in 1965–70; sex + -ist, on the model of racist ( def. )

Explanation

A sexist is someone who discriminates on the basis of gender. Sexist people and laws are unfair. Like racist and homophobic, this word refers to a type of hatred or discrimination: in this case, on the basis of gender. Usually, sexist people and laws discriminate against women. Back when women couldn't vote, wear pants, or own property, you could say that the world was pretty sexist. Likewise, before all-women Vassar College began admitting men, it was accused of having sexist policies. Treating a man or woman differently just because they're male or female is sexist.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing sexist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But their single “Racist, Sexist Boy” became an ultra-viral hit after that library set.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 4, 2024

“You hear a youngness when you listen to these songs,” says musicologist Lily Hirsch, author of “Can’t Stop the Grrrls: Confronting Sexist Labels in Music from Ariana Grande to Yoko Ono.”

From Seattle Times • Jul. 6, 2023

“It shows we still have a long way to work to have truly feminist parties,” said Fiona Texeire, a founder of the Observatory of Sexual and Sexist Violence in Politics.

From New York Times • Sep. 21, 2022

The University of Pittsburgh has declared that terms such as "secretary," "clerk," and "omsbudsman" are considered "Sexist Language."

From Fox News • Oct. 26, 2021

Q. Re: Sexist memes: Does your program have a school newspaper?

From Slate

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