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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
What’s at play isn’t hypocrisy or double standards against standup comedians. Alexander Puutio, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 That double standard, as well as a genuine lack of awareness about Iranian-influence operations, has persisted for many years, and, unfortunately, the latest news probably isn’t enough to trigger a reckoning with what Iran is doing to our elections and within U.S. government. The Editors, National Review, 20 Sep. 2024 One of the attendees brought up Obama’s remarks and asked Washington how to speak to people applying a double standard to Harris. Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024 The national media attention that Petito's case garnered was seen as a double standard in the Indigenous community with the countless missing and murdered people cases that have gone unsolved for decades and had never seen the type of awareness as Petito. Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for double standard 

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 15 Nov. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!