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

As a whole, working-class young Latino (and Black) men this year felt that the economy was in poor shape, and many saw Trump as the salve, while viewing his machismo as the sign of a strong leader able to right the ship. —Meredith Conroy, ABC News, 19 Nov. 2024

Rupert, arrogant, priapic to a fault, and vulnerable underneath the machismo is—somehow!—hard not to root for, if only because everyone who hates him is so much worse. —Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 1 Nov. 2024

Which is also a subject that doesn’t turn up in the post-bro world of country, where machismo remains at a pretty unfiltered premium. —Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2024

Johnson’s career-girl sophistication subtly conveys her self-protective arrogance, and Penn’s own blue-collar machismo is also nuanced. —Armond White, National Review, 28 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from macho

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1