Misogynistic

/ˌmɪsəˈdʒɪnɪstɪk/ adjective

Definition

Showing hatred, dislike, or prejudice against women, or reflecting the belief that men are superior to women.

Etymology

From Greek 'misos' (hatred) + 'gyne' (woman), plus '-ic' suffix. The term was coined in the late 1800s as feminism challenged ancient prejudices.

Kelly Says

The oldest written languages are full of misogynistic ideas because they were written by men in male-dominated societies—by studying ancient texts, we can literally watch when cultures started questioning these ideas.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Rooted in systemic devaluation of women across law, medicine, philosophy, and culture. Etymology: Greek misos (hatred) + gyne (woman). Describes ideology, not individual moral failing—embedded in institutions.

Inclusive Usage

Apply to systems, ideologies, and practices—not to diagnose individuals. Use to analyze structural harm rather than assign character blame.

Inclusive Alternatives

["women-hostile","patriarchal","gender-discriminatory"]

Empowerment Note

Center women's resistance: suffragettes, labor organizers, and feminist theorists systematically documented and fought misogyny while institutions denied harms they named.

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