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Meaning & use

chauvinism

noun·Advanceddisapproving

Last updated

UK/ˈʃəʊvɪnɪzəm/
US/ˈʃoʊvənɪzəm/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. noununcountabledisapproving

    The belief that men are naturally better or more important than women, shown in the way someone acts or speaks.

    Grammar: No plural and no article: workplace chauvinism, not a chauvinism.

    Patterns

    • male chauvinism
    • chauvinism in something

    Her speech attacked the casual chauvinism she saw in the office.

    He was embarrassed by the chauvinism of his grandfather's jokes.

    Chauvinism at work can hold talented women back.

  2. noununcountabledisapproving

    An extreme and unreasoning loyalty to one's own country, group or cause, together with contempt for others.

    Grammar: Often preceded by a word naming the group: national chauvinism.

    Patterns

    • national chauvinism
    • chauvinism towards someone

    The newspaper was accused of stirring up national chauvinism before the match.

    Political chauvinism made the two sides unwilling to compromise.

    Her essay warns against cultural chauvinism in the study of history.

Common combinations

male chauvinism
Male chauvinism was still common in the company in the 1970s.
national chauvinism
The speech was full of national chauvinism.
cultural chauvinism
Travel can cure cultural chauvinism.
accuse someone of chauvinism
They accused the manager of chauvinism after his remarks.
outright chauvinism
The comments were not just careless but outright chauvinism.

Synonyms and how they differ

sexism
Sexism covers unfair treatment of either sex, while chauvinism in the first sense is specifically about men feeling superior.
jingoism
Jingoism is aggressive patriotism that favors war, which is narrower than the wider group loyalty of chauvinism.
bigotry
Bigotry means stubborn intolerance of anyone different and does not need the idea of loyalty to your own side.

Opposites

equalityopen-mindedness

Word family

chauvinist noun
a person who shows chauvinism
chauvinistic adjective
showing an extreme, biased attitude of superiority
chauvinistically adverb
in a chauvinistic way

Commonly confused: chauvinism or patriotism?

chauvinism vs patriotism

Patriotism is healthy love of your country. Chauvinism goes further and adds contempt for other countries.

Practice

The comedian's jokes about women drew criticism for their ___.

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