machismo

noun

ma·​chis·​mo mä-ˈchēz-(ˌ)mō How to pronounce machismo (audio)
mə-,
-ˈkēz- How to pronounce machismo (audio)
-ˈkiz-,
-ˈchiz-
1
: a strong sense of masculine pride : an exaggerated masculinity
athletes displaying their machismo
2
: an exaggerated or exhilarating sense of power or strength
the administration's machismo in pushing for a new treaty

Examples of machismo in a Sentence

a culture that prizes machismo and has rigid gender roles
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An emerging critique of aggrieved white machismo comes off, mostly, as a shallow topical hook. Judy Berman, Time, 27 June 2025 Their meanderings spawn endless trading back and forth in a pathetic, albeit machismo, fashion. Jim Cramer, CNBC, 21 May 2025 And on the high-school football team, the comedian remembers trying to pass off his pop-star obsessions as pure, red-blooded machismo. Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 17 May 2025 Emotional and cultural relevance rather than machismo and spectacle seems to be driving the box office in this post-pandemic era. Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for machismo

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from macho

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of machismo was in 1941

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Machismo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/machismo. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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