chauvinism

noun
chau·​vin·​ism | \ ˈshō-və-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce chauvinism (audio) \

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

Other Words from chauvinism

chauvinist \ ˈshō-​və-​nist How to pronounce chauvinism (audio) \ noun or adjective
chauvinistic \ ˌshō-​və-​ˈni-​stik How to pronounce chauvinism (audio) \ adjective
chauvinistically \ ˌshō-​və-​ˈni-​sti-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce chauvinism (audio) \ adverb

Examples of chauvinism in a Sentence

their ingrained chauvinism has blinded them to their country's faults
Recent Examples on the Web De Saulcy set the tone of most subsequent efforts: wild ambition, wild exaggeration, wild protests—and hardheaded chauvinism. Dominic Green, WSJ, 17 Dec. 2021 Our execution problems are many because American sanctions are almost always applied for reasons of domestic politics and chauvinism, not hard-nosed foreign policy. Ryan Cooper, The Week, 12 Jan. 2022 Not much of a role model, and certainly not a new culture worthy of replacing the male chauvinism, which still reigns and rages against those who dare to simply report their discomfort. Anna Zanardi Cappon, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2021 In theory at least, Mao was critical of Han chauvinism. Ian Buruma, Harper’s Magazine , 18 Jan. 2022 Unfortunately, this necessary corrective for uncritical chauvinism combined with Progressive economic determinism to discourage scholarly interpretation of the American founding as either unique or — that dread word! — good. Sam Negus, National Review, 10 Oct. 2021 Where there’s a group of rich, powerful, hyper-competitive, testosterone-worshipping men, there will probably be chauvinism. Outside Online, 8 Oct. 2020 Other times, people exaggerate for reasons of prestige, financial gain, religious practice, family honor, or regional or national chauvinism. Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2021 Other times, people exaggerate for reasons of prestige, financial gain, religious practice, family honor, or regional or national chauvinism. Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2021

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.

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First Known Use of chauvinism

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 3

History and Etymology for 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)

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Time Traveler for chauvinism

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The first known use of chauvinism was in 1851

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Dictionary Entries Near chauvinism

Chauvin

chauvinism

chav

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Statistics for chauvinism

Last Updated

11 Mar 2022

Cite this Entry

“Chauvinism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chauvinism. Accessed 15 Mar. 2022.

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More from Merriam-Webster on chauvinism

Nglish: Translation of chauvinism for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of chauvinism for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chauvinism

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