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

Did you know?

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

Ariana has empowered women in major ways - last week's recap was all about the insidious nature of misogyny and that is because of Ariana. —Vulture Editors, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024

Art exhibit about misogyny was only open to women — until a man complained In September the supreme court quashed the tribunal’s ruling, and MONA this week announced that the Ladies Lounge will reopen for a lap of honor from Thursday until mid-January, 2025. —Elizabeth Fortescue, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024

But with fame came a backlash, and Pugh has found herself on the receiving end of a particularly insidious form of misogyny several times. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 17 Dec. 2024

Looking back on the rise of the WAG, the misogyny embedded in the media coverage is impossible to ignore. —Meg Walters, Glamour, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined above