misogyny
mih-SOJ-uh-nee
/mɪˈsɒdʒ.ə.ni/
Dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women.
Refers to generalized hostility or systemic devaluation directed toward women as a group.
The story behind the word. Constructed from the Ancient Greek roots 'misos' (hatred) and 'gyne' (woman). The term entered English in the 17th century during literary debates over gender roles and gained central theoretical importance in late 20th-century feminism.
Word relationships
- sexism: Sexism is prejudice or discrimination based on sex, whereas misogyny implies active hostility or hatred toward women.
- philogyny: Philogyny is the love or admiration of women.
Commonly confused with
- misanthropy: Misanthropy is hatred of all human beings, while misogyny is hatred specifically directed at women.
Word family
- misogynist (noun): A person who holds hatred or prejudice against women.
- misogynistic (adjective): Showing or characterized by hatred or prejudice against women.
Collocations
- entrenched misogyny
- internalized misogyny
- systemic misogyny
Example sentences
- "Misogyny serves as the law enforcement branch of patriarchy, policing and punishing women who challenge male dominance." Philosophy of Gender (Kate Manne, Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny)
- "The study analyzed how online spaces can sometimes amplify expressions of misogyny." Sociology
Memory hook
Miso (hate) + gyne (woman) = hatred of women. Hatred toward women.
When not to use
Avoid using for a simple disagreement with an individual woman; it specifically denotes gender-based hatred or systemic prejudice.
Fun facts
- Philosopher Kate Manne distinguishably defined sexism as 'ideology that rationalizes male dominance' and misogyny as 'the enforcement mechanism that punishes non-conformity'.
Related words
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