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Meaning & use

sexist

adjective, noun·Academicdisapproving

Last updated

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

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparabledisapproving

    Treating people unfairly or holding negative beliefs about them because of their sex, most often against women.

    Grammar: Describes remarks, jokes, rules or attitudes: a sexist remark.

    Patterns

    • a sexist remark
    • sexist against someone

    The manager's sexist comment led to a formal complaint.

    The old advert was criticized as sexist.

    It is sexist to assume only women can care for children.

  2. nouncountabledisapproving

    A person who holds or shows unfair attitudes toward people because of their sex.

    Grammar: Calling someone a sexist is a strong accusation.

    Patterns

    • call someone a sexist

    He was accused of being a sexist for refusing to hire women.

    The speaker said he was no sexist, but his jokes suggested otherwise.

    Critics called the director a sexist after the interview.

Word forms

pluralsexists
comparativemore sexist
superlativemost sexist

Common combinations

a sexist remark
A sexist remark ended his campaign.
sexist attitudes
The survey measured sexist attitudes at work.
a sexist joke
She objected to a sexist joke.
openly sexist
The comments were openly sexist.
deeply sexist
The law was deeply sexist.

Synonyms and how they differ

misogynistic
Misogynistic means showing hatred of women specifically, which is stronger than sexist.
discriminatory
Discriminatory is wider and covers any unfair treatment, not just based on sex.
chauvinistic
Chauvinistic suggests belief in male superiority.
biased
Biased is general unfairness and needs a target to be specific.

Opposites

egalitarianfeminist

Word family

sexism noun
prejudice based on sex
sex noun
male or female category
unsexist adjective
free of sexism, rare
anti-sexist adjective
opposing sexism

Commonly confused: sexist or sexual?

sexist vs sexual

Sexual relates to sex and reproduction, while sexist relates to unfair treatment because of sex.

Practice

Assuming a woman cannot be an engineer because she is a woman is a ___ assumption.

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