chauvinism

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noun chau·vin·ism \ ˈshō-və-ˌni-zəm \

Definition of chauvinism

1 :excessive or blind patriotism — compare jingoism

his fervent nationalism mutated into blatant chauvinism
—Elizabeth Fuller

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

regional chauvinism

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

male chauvinism

; also :behavior expressive of such an attitude

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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

In his shambolic, improvisatory way, Trump had articulated a new vision for the American right, one that combined rabid nativism with welfare chauvinism, economic nationalism, and neo-isolationism.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Has Converted the GOP Base to His Ideology: Trump First," 22 Aug. 2017
Despite their ethnic chauvinism, these immigrant activist groups eventually became indistinguishable from their hosts.

— victor davis hanson, National Review, "The Problem of Competitive Victimhood," 3 Aug. 2017
That’s when the brunt of chauvinism started, something neither Guthrie nor Vollstedt had predicted.

— laken litman, USA TODAY Sports, "From sleeping in her car to the Indy 500: How Janet Guthrie changed racing for women," 26 May 2017
The explorers’ motives are represented as pure, unencumbered by cultural chauvinism, yet their science always prevails over aliens’ indigenous superstitions.

— manu saadia, The New Yorker, "For Alt-Right Trolls, “Star Trek: Discovery” Is an Unsafe Space," 26 May 2017
As Jason’s new trophy wife, Charlotte Landreau proved doubly victimized, first by Jason’s chauvinism, then by Medea’s poisoned crown.

— lewis segal, latimes.com, "Missing the Martha in Martha Graham Dance," 15 May 2017
Not that this movie isn't laden with male chauvinism, not to mention plain silly at times.

— chris ball, cleveland.com, "'The Salesman,' Oscar winner, now on DVD and Blu-ray (review)," 8 May 2017
This may seem an overblown caricature, but to many native Manhattanites the thought of becoming part of the bridge-and-tunnel crowd is filled with dread, because the Manhattan lifestyle is one of inherent chauvinism.

— kenneth r. rosen, New York Times, "Growing Up in, and Outgrowing, Manhattan," 5 May 2017
In the Arctic, English chauvinism led to the death of untold numbers of Englishmen.

— kathryn schulz, The New Yorker, "Literature’s Arctic Obsession," 24 Apr. 2017

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

See Words from the same year

chauvinism Synonyms

Synonyms

jingoism, nationalism, superpatriotism

Related Words

loyalty, patriotism; nativism, xenophobia

Near Antonyms

internationalism

CHAUVINISM Defined for English Language Learners

chauvinism

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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