machismo

noun

ma·​chis·​mo mä-ˈchēz-(ˌ)mō 

mə-,

-ˈkēz- 

-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

Synonyms

• macho
• manhood
• manliness
• masculinity
• virility

Examples of machismo in a Sentence

a culture that prizes machismo and has rigid gender roles

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead of being introduced by his spouse, as is the norm for candidates accepting their party’s nomination, Trump was introduced by Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship — known for its machismo culture and sanctioned violence. —Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 30 July 2024

Putin’s machismo posturing, additionally, is undergirded by a view of Russia as a country of real men opposing a pampered, gutless, and decadent West. —Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2015

But Putin didn’t send warplanes and armor into Syria as a display of machismo or because the Ukraine crisis convinced him that Obama lacks spine. —Rajan Menon, Foreign Affairs, 29 Feb. 2016

Eric takes it as a chance to inject his young protégé with confidence and machismo. —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 11 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from macho

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1