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misogyny
[ mi-soj-uh-nee, mahy- ]
/ mɪˈsɒdʒ ə ni, maɪ- /
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noun
hatred, dislike, or mistrust of women, manifested in various forms such as physical intimidation and abuse, sexual harassment and rape, social shunning and ostracism, etc.: the underlying misogyny in slut-shaming;Historically witch hunts were an embodiment of the misogyny of the time.
ingrained and institutionalized prejudice against women; sexism.
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Sometimes mi·sog·y·nism [mi-soj-uh-niz-uhm, mahy-] /mɪˈsɒdʒ əˌnɪz əm, maɪ-/ .
Compare misandry.
Origin of misogyny
historical usage of misogyny
Up until the 1980s, the meanings of misogyny and sexism were distinct. Misogyny related to feelings of hatred toward women, while sexism was about firmly established stereotypes related to gender, and the discrimination resulting from such conceptions, typically directed toward women. These meanings are still widely used today. By these definitions, it follows that all misogynists are sexist, but not all people who hold sexist beliefs or support sexist systems are misogynists.
However, it has become increasingly common to see the terms misogyny and sexism used more or less interchangeably. That is to say that the word misogyny is now sometimes used to discuss the societal structures that propagate gender-based discrimination, and sexism is now sometimes used to refer to hatred toward women.
While the apparent merging of these senses is subject to some criticism and is sometimes considered a conflation of the terms, this is to be expected. Often shifts in the meaning of well-established terms take generations to achieve widespread acceptance.
However, it has become increasingly common to see the terms misogyny and sexism used more or less interchangeably. That is to say that the word misogyny is now sometimes used to discuss the societal structures that propagate gender-based discrimination, and sexism is now sometimes used to refer to hatred toward women.
While the apparent merging of these senses is subject to some criticism and is sometimes considered a conflation of the terms, this is to be expected. Often shifts in the meaning of well-established terms take generations to achieve widespread acceptance.
words often confused with misogyny
See misandry.
OTHER WORDS FROM misogyny
mi·sog·y·nic, mi·sog·y·nous, mi·sog·y·nis·tic, adjectivemi·sog·y·nist, nounWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH misogyny
misandry, misanthropy, misogynyWords nearby misogyny
misocainea, misogamy, misogynist, misogynistic, misogynoir, misogyny, misology, misoneism, misopedia, misophonia, misorient
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use misogyny in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for misogyny
misogyny
/ (mɪˈsɒdʒɪnɪ, maɪ-) /
noun
hatred of women
Derived forms of misogyny
misogynist, noun, adjectivemisogynistic or misogynous, adjectiveWord Origin for misogyny
C17: from Greek, from miso- + gunē woman
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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