misogyny

noun

mi·​sog·​y·​ny mə-ˈsä-jə-nē 

: hatred of, aversion to, or prejudice against women

a culture that promotes violence and misogyny

… battled the personal demons of alcoholism, racism, and misogyny.

—James Kaplan

Her books are pervaded by a deep pessimism and an equally profound misogyny.

—Janet Malcolm

… a mission to expose the common cord that nourishes capitalism, misogyny, classism, and fat hatred …

—Anastasia Higginbotham

also : something (such as speech or behavior) that reflects and fosters misogyny

Cosloy's suggestion for a solution to misogyny in song—women should make their own records!—is scurrilous as long as men are not ready to pass the mike.

—Evelyn McDonnell

Dr [Una] McIlvenna says misogyny has always been rife. "There's always been misogyny in news reporting, both victim-blaming and in the coverage of women who commit crimes."

—Lisa Needham

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The (Etymological) Roots of Misogyny

Misogyny may be distinguished from the closely related word sexism, which signifies discrimination based on sex (although it most frequently refers to discrimination against women) and also carries the meaning “behavior, conditions, or attitudes that foster stereotypes of social roles based on sex.”

Misogyny refers specifically to a hatred of women. The word is formed from the Greek roots misein (“to hate”) and gynē (“woman”). Each of these roots can be found in other English words, both common and obscure. Gynē helped to form gynecologist and androgynous, and misein can be found in such words as misoneism (“a hatred, fear, or intolerance of innovation or change”) and misandry (“a hatred of men”).

Examples of misogyny in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Young Iranians can have no illusions about the mix of misogyny, anti-Semitism, and Islamism that Hamas and Iran’s rulers share. —Roya Hakakian, The Atlantic, 22 Nov. 2023

The title story concerns a Dublin man named Cathal who, on the brink of middle age, has been undone by his own misogyny. —David Amsden, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023

Over seven episodes that range from 40 to 75 minutes, the series’ voracious curiosity hits on topics as wide-ranging as misogyny and wealth inequality. —Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Nov. 2023

Moshfegh’s response resonated with me more than anything else said on the subject of misogyny that weekend, especially as some panelists denied its presence in Roth’s writing altogether. —Hannah Gold, Harper's Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023

The film follows Pooja, a light-skinned Nepali police officer, who has broken centuries-old misogyny by becoming the first female detective in the country. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2023

The Republican presidential campaign's gendered insults and underlying tone that femininity equals weakness are leading researchers and political strategists to note that the GOP is continuing Trump-era machismo and misogyny. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2023

Despite their differences, the two lean on each other while contending with filthy motel rooms, colorism, rampant misogyny, dwindling finances and their own evolving public images. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Nov. 2023

She’s never been afraid to speak out about the misconceptions, the stereotypes, and the straight up misogyny that has been placed, and the obstacles that have been placed, in the way of women. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Greek misogynia, from misein to hate + gynē woman — more at queen

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined above