chauvinistic

[shoh-vuh-nis-tik]

adjective

1. aggressively and blindly devoted to a certain system of beliefs, especially patriotism or nationalism.

   The study of historical colonialism reveals a chauvinistic attitude toward other cultures and an implicit assumption that the West was the standard of civilized life for the rest of the world.

2. believing that one gender is superior to another.

   These four remarkable women composers, whose work is largely unknown, were ignored until now because of the chauvinistic attitudes that prevailed in their time.

Other Word Forms

• chauvinistically adverb
• unchauvinistic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chauvinistic¹

First recorded in 1865–70; chauvinist ( def. ) + -ic ( def. )

Example Sentences

Experts say politicians have long looked down on Indigenous people and have wrongly explained away chauvinistic behavior as the carrying on of ancestral practices.

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Coleman said he always had “more fun playing bad guys” and relished the “rottenness” of his chauvinistic character.

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And while this may be the more politically comfortable step — there were countless moments in the original cartoon that were heavy-handed with misogyny from the chauvinistic Sokka — the result doesn't serve Katara as a character.

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Despite ruling the narco empire in Miami with an iron fist for two decades, Blanco was acutely aware that as a woman in an industry run almost exclusively by chauvinistic men, her position was precarious.

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Surely, Carlin himself, noted for his anti-abortion stance, would offer a chauvinistic nod of approval at the study’s choice of material.

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Related Words

• biased 
• bigoted 
• dictatorial 
• disdainful 
• dogmatic 
• fanatical 
• fractious 
• hateful 
• indignant 
• irritable 
• racist 
• xenophobic