misogyny

American  

[mi-soj-uh-nee, mahy-] / mɪˈsɒdʒ ə ni, maɪ- /

Sometimes misogynism

noun

1. hatred, dislike, or mistrust of women, manifested in various forms such as physical intimidation and abuse, sexual harassment and rape, social shunning and ostracism, etc.: Historically witch hunts were an embodiment of the misogyny of the time.

   the underlying misogyny in slut-shaming;

   Historically witch hunts were an embodiment of the misogyny of the time.

2. ingrained and institutionalized prejudice against women; sexism.

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misogyny British  

/ mɪˈsɒdʒɪnɪ, maɪ- /

noun

1. hatred of women

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Commonly Confused

See misandry.

Other Word Forms

• misogynic adjective
• misogynist noun
• misogynistic adjective
• misogynous adjective

Etymology

Origin of misogyny

First recorded in 1650–60; New Latin misogynia, from Greek misogynía “hatred of women,” equivalent to miso- + gyn- + -ia noun suffix; miso-, gyn-, -y ³

Explanation

Misogyny is the hatred of women. Whenever someone thinks that all women share one trait — usually something negative — that’s misogyny. The noun misogyny, pronounced "miss-AH-jih-nee," comes from the Greek word misogynia, which means “woman-hater.” Misogyny is prejudice — like bigotry or racism — that’s directed toward women. Misogyny takes many forms, from hiring a less-qualified male job candidate instead of a woman to excluding women from joining a club, just because of their gender.

Example Sentences

Estela Bezerra, the head of Brazil's office on violence against women, told AFP she believes online misogyny plays a big role.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

And misogyny isn’t exactly the point; he’s just a self-involved, insecure egotist.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

As a historian of Jewish gender and antisemitism, I know the connections between misogyny and antisemitism have deep roots.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

West, one of the grande dames of the movement, got her start at Seattle alt-weekly the Stranger and spent years excoriating fatphobia, online misogyny, and male entitlement for the ur-millennial-feminist site Jezebel.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

Hillary was Barack’s opponent, which meant that I wasn’t inclined to feel especially warmly toward her just then, but I couldn’t help but admire her ability to stand up and keep fighting amid the misogyny.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

• sexism