chauvinism

noun chau·vin·ism \ ˈshō-və-ˌni-zəm \

Updated on: 10 May 2018

Definition of chauvinism

1 : an attitude of superiority toward members of the opposite sex

male chauvinism

; also : behavior expressive of such an attitude

2 : undue partiality or attachment to a group or place to which one belongs or has belonged

regional chauvinism

3 : excessive or blind patriotism — compare jingoism

his fervent nationalism mutated into blatant chauvinism
—Elizabeth Fuller

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chauvinist

play \-və-nist\ noun or adjective

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chauvinistic

play \ˌshō-və-ˈnis-tik\ adjective

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chauvinistically

play \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See chauvinism defined for English-language learners

See chauvinism defined for kids

Examples of chauvinism in a Sentence

their ingrained chauvinism has blinded them to their country's faults

Recent Examples of chauvinism from the Web

Moreover, as the surge in women candidates also suggests, Mr Trump’s chauvinism may have stirred up Democratic voters across the board.

— The Economist, "LexingtonWomen could be the undoing of Donald Trump," 17 Feb. 2018
Photo: Elyxandro Cegarra/NurPhoto/Getty Images To his opponents, Mr. Macron’s notions of a protective Europe smack of old-fashion French chauvinism.

— stacy meichtry and william horobin, WSJ, "Macron’s Lonely Road: Saving Globalism From Itself," 20 Apr. 2018
Kimmel had trouble booking women for the show (a joyous celebration of chauvinism).

— megan garber, The Atlantic, "Forgiving Jimmy Kimmel," 2 Mar. 2018
But this often bleeds into a xenophobic chauvinism, an us-vs.-them mentality, a need to validate ourselves by proving our way of life is superior.

— norman chad, San Antonio Express-News, "Norman Chad: The Olympics ideal doesn’t exist," 19 Feb. 2018
Directors have devised various ways of glossing over the blatant male chauvinism and rescuing an unsatisfying ending.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Lyric revival of Mozart's romantic comedy 'Cosi Fan Tutte' touches the heart," 18 Feb. 2018
That’s when the vitriolic chauvinism seeps through the cracks.

— jill gutowitz, Glamour, "Women Having Been ‘Stepping Up’ Forever—Now it’s Time for Men to Elevate Us," 2 Feb. 2018
My own chauvinism is in the public record, of course.

— andrew sullivan, Daily Intelligencer, "#MeToo and the Taboo Topic of Nature," 19 Jan. 2018
So, as a not so subtle reminder, here’s your President at peak chauvinism over the course of the past 30 years.

— esquire editors, Esquire, "Trump on Talk Shows: 30 Years of Toxic Masculinity," 10 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chauvinism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of chauvinism

French chauvinisme, from Nicolas Chauvin, character noted for his excessive patriotism and devotion to Napoleon in Théodore and Hippolyte Cogniard's play La Cocarde tricolore (1831)

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1851

in the meaning defined at sense 3

See Words from the same year

chauvinism Synonyms

CHAUVINISM Defined for English Language Learners

chauvinism

noun

Definition of chauvinism for English Language Learners

: an attitude that the members of your own sex are always better than those of the opposite sex
: the belief that your country, race, etc., is better than any other