chauvinism

noun

chau·​vin·​ism ˈshō-və-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce chauvinism (audio)
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 chauvinismElizabeth Fuller
chauvinist noun or adjective
chauvinistic adjective
chauvinistically adverb

Examples of chauvinism in a Sentence

their ingrained chauvinism has blinded them to their country's faults
Recent Examples on the Web There’s a lot of winking and smirking between the two of them, which defuses the crass chauvinism that guides the whole play. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 24 July 2024 There was also the feud with Brooks Koepka, which smacked of chauvinism run amok. Dave Skretta, Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2024 The Bolsheviks—motivated by Vladimir Lenin’s distaste for chauvinism, as well as a desire to eradicate their political opponents—imprisoned, exiled, or executed Russian nationalists. Jade McGlynn, Foreign Affairs, 17 Aug. 2023 Their aim was to present a united front against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party, whose chauvinism and authoritarianism have had a chilling effect on the world’s biggest democracy. Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chauvinism 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chauvinism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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)

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of chauvinism was in 1851

Dictionary Entries Near chauvinism

Cite this Entry

“Chauvinism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chauvinism. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

chauvinism

noun
chau·​vin·​ism ˈshō-və-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce chauvinism (audio)
1
: exaggerated or unthinking patriotism
2
: an attitude that the members of one's own sex are always better than those of the opposite sex
also : behavior that shows such an attitude
chauvinist noun or adjective
chauvinistic adjective
chauvinistically adverb
Etymology

from French chauvinisme "chauvinism," named for Nicholas Chauvin, a character in a play

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