double standard

noun

1
: a set of principles that applies differently and usually more rigorously to one group of people or circumstances than to another
especially : a code of morals that applies more severe standards of sexual behavior to women than to men
2

Examples of double standard in a Sentence

She argued that society applies a double standard in dealing with women who commit adultery.
Recent Examples on the Web Biden’s emphasis on aid to the Palestinians in Gaza, and on pressuring Israel to conduct a just war according to an impossible double standard, was a panicked response to divisions on his left. Matthew Continetti, National Review, 9 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, Pulitzer Prize-winning data journalist Mona Chalabi has been highlighting Western media double standards through her own Instagram account. Hazlitt, 6 Mar. 2024 Marks called the move an unjust and unfair double standard. Richard Fowler, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 For many onlookers, the Israeli military campaign that followed the deadly Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7 has served as a reminder of long-standing double standards on the world stage. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024 But that isn’t expected to satisfy GOP critics, who have for months been railing about a double standard being applied to Biden and his son, Hunter, who faces criminal tax and gun charges. Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 8 Feb. 2024 Mark Lewis’ interpretation of the Bret Stephens’ piece presents an interesting take on hypocrisy and double standards. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2024 Yet rightly or wrongly, large swaths of the global South view the war as a testament to American double standards: opposing occupation and appropriation of foreign territory by Russia but not by Israel, valuing the lives and liberties of some victims more than those of others. Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 When Reese, who is Black, seemed to face harsher criticism for her showboating than Clark ever had, many saw a racist double standard. Matt Flegenheimer, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of double standard was in 1872

Dictionary Entries Near double standard

Cite this Entry

“Double standard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double%20standard. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

double standard

noun
: a set of standards that applies differently and usually more harshly to one group of people or circumstances than to another

More from Merriam-Webster on double standard

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