misandrist

American  

[mis-an-dreest] / ˈmɪs ænˌdrist /

noun

1. someone, especially a woman, who hates, dislikes, or mistrusts men.

   Mainstream feminists are not misandrists; they seek equal rights for men and women on the basis that all genders have the ability and the right to lead self-determining lives.

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adjective

1. showing a hatred, dislike, or mistrust of men.

   The allegedly misandrist attitude of the administration is causing discipline problems with the male students.

Etymology

Origin of misandrist

First recorded in 1950–55; misandr(y) ( def. ) + -ist ( def. )

Explanation

If your cat hisses at and scratches every single man she encounters, you may be tempted to describe her as a misandrist, someone with a hatred of men. Anyone who has a powerful prejudice against men is a misandrist, a word that combines the Greek roots miso-, or "hatred," and andros, "men." The woman-hating equivalent, misogynist, is more widely used. Someone who criticizes men or attends a women's college may be accused of being a misandrist — but a true misandrist is hostile toward the entire human male population, a perspective that's quite uncommon.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

misandrist

The novelist Chloé Delaume, a self-described misandrist, was awarded the prestigious Médicis Prize in November.

From New York Times ● Jan. 10, 2021

I’ve been called a misandrist and a misogynist for the same article.

From Slate ● Nov. 4, 2015

A piece in the Washington Post was headlined “Is Gone Girl’s Amy a misogynist? A misandrist? Or both?”

From The Guardian ● Oct. 7, 2014

Claire’s transformation into a stoic adversary of sexism is more than fully realized, but don’t confuse her for a misandrist.

From Time ● Aug. 16, 2014

Opening up gyms to both sexes frees both sexes to decide for themselves how and when to best use the facilities. It’s not an evil misandrist conspiracy.

From Salon ● Apr. 23, 2013