misogyny

Sometimes mi·sog·y·nism

[mi-soj-uh-nee, mahy-]

noun

1. 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.: Historically witch hunts were an embodiment of the misogyny of the time.

   the underlying misogyny in slut-shaming;

   Historically witch hunts were an embodiment of the misogyny of the time.

2. ingrained and institutionalized prejudice against women; sexism.

misogyny

/ mɪˈsɒdʒɪnɪ, maɪ- /

noun

1. hatred of women

Confusables Note

See misandry.

Other Word Forms

• misogynic adjective
• misogynous adjective
• misogynistic adjective
• misogynist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of misogyny¹

First recorded in 1650–60; New Latin misogynia, from Greek misogynía “hatred of women,” equivalent to miso- + gyn- + -ia noun suffix; miso-, gyn-, -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of misogyny¹

C17: from Greek, from _miso- + gunē woman

Example Sentences

“We had to fight misogyny, paternalism, bureaucracy, and other significant barriers to be taken seriously,” Xenarios and Anderson later wrote.

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Born in Colombia and raised in Norway, Braekhus spent her career breaking down barriers - from fighting misogyny in the gym to silencing critics on her way to becoming the undisputed queen of the sport.

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Last year a senior police officer raised the alarm about influencers like Andrew Tate radicalising boys and young men into extreme misogyny in a way that is "quite terrifying".

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Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has told the BBC he will not resign from his position, after a Panorama investigation revealed evidence of misogyny and racism in the force.

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Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has written to the home secretary and the mayor of London after a BBC investigation found misogyny and racism inside the force.

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Related Words

• sexism