sexism

noun

sex·ism | \ ˈsek-ˌsi-zəm

How to pronounce sexism (audio)

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Definition of sexism

1 : prejudice or discrimination based on sex especially : discrimination against women

2 : behavior, conditions, or attitudes that foster stereotypes of social roles based on sex

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Examples of sexism in a Sentence

the problem of sexism in language

Recent Examples on the Web There is no pattern of complaints from female players, no allegations of sexism. — Tunku Varadarajan, WSJ, "Even in Cricket, No Rest From the Woke," 20 Apr. 2021 One wonders what Margaret Knight could have accomplished if society had not shackled her talents with the bonds of sexism. — John Greathouse, Forbes, "Celebrate Women’s History Month - Share This Inventor’s Profound Story With Your Children," 17 Mar. 2021 Female journalists are uniquely susceptible to such treatment in the form of sexism. — Lydia Belanger, Fortune, "These 11 women journalists deserve freedom and justice now," 2 Mar. 2021 His years-long silence on the rampant culture of sexism, along with that of so many other men in the industry, speak to a much deeper institutional issue that didn't stop with either one of the pop stars. — Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, "20 Years Later, Justin Timberlake Has An Apology For Britney Spears & Janet Jackson," 13 Feb. 2021 Companies with 2,500 employees don’t accidentally develop cultures of sexism. — Cecilia D'anastasio, Wired, "The Rot of Riot Games Culture Starts at the Top," 12 Feb. 2021 While the comic strip Dilbert found success in highlighting the absurdities of cubicles and micromanagement, the film Clockwatchers (1997) added the lens of sexism in the workplace in its commentary on office monotony and politics. — Isha Aran, The New Republic, "A Brief Cultural History of Work Sucking," 15 Jan. 2021 Pinterest, for example, agreed to pay $22.5 million this month to settle a suit from its former chief operating officer, accusing the company of sexism and pay discrimination. — New York Times, "Cryptocurrency Start-Up Underpaid Women and Black Employees, Data Shows," 29 Dec. 2020 For example, Emily Mendenhall, professor of global health at Georgetown University, used the syndemic model to understand the intersection of mental health and diabetes with sexism, xenophobia, and poverty among Mexican immigrant women. — Annalisa Merelli, Quartz, "One word perfectly captures America’s post-Covid crises," 30 Mar. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sexism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

28 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Sexism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sexism. Accessed 8 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for sexism

sexism

noun

English Language Learners Definition of sexism

: unfair treatment of people because of their sex especially : unfair treatment of women

See the full definition for sexism in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sexism

noun

sex·ism | \ ˈsek-ˌsi-zəm

\

Kids Definition of sexism

: distinction and especially unjust distinction based on gender and made against one person or group (as women) in favor of another

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