What does masculinist mean?
A masculinist is someone who supports or expresses the idea that men are superior to women, or that men should possess greater power and privilege than women. The word is commonly used in political, feminist, academic, and social criticism, and it generally carries a strongly negative or critical connotation. It should be distinguished from “masculine,” which can describe traits traditionally associated with men without necessarily endorsing male dominance. In contemporary usage, masculinist often refers specifically to beliefs, practices, or institutions that privilege men, such as opposition to women’s equality or the exclusion of women from authority. The term is therefore more precise than a general description of sexism: it identifies an ideology or viewpoint rather than merely describing an individual remark or behavior. Understanding it can help readers analyze arguments about gender, power, inequality, and privilege.
nounA person who believes in or promotes the superiority or dominance of men over women. The term is often critical and is used especially in political, feminist, and academic contexts.
- A person who advocates or embodies the belief that men are inherently superior to women or should hold greater social, political, or economic power.
"Critics described the policy as a masculinist attempt to preserve male privilege."
"The essay analyzes the masculinist assumptions underlying traditional family roles."
"She challenged the masculinist rhetoric used to oppose women leaders."
The regular plural is formed by adding “-s.”
"Several masculinist leaders defended the traditional division of social roles."
A masculinist is not simply someone who describes himself as masculine; the term specifically points to an ideology built around male dominance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of masculinist
The word combines the English adjective “masculine,” derived from Latin masculinus, with the suffix “-ist,” which forms nouns denoting an advocate or supporter of a doctrine. Its development reflects the growth of modern political and social vocabulary about gender and the increasing use of “-ist” to label adherents of competing ideologies. Its close relatives include “masculine” and “masculinity,” while “feminist” developed as a contrasting term for advocacy of women’s equality.
How masculinist is actually used
The term is predominantly critical and often appears in political, feminist, sociological, and historical discussion. It may be used descriptively when examining ideology, rather than as a neutral label for every person who holds conservative views about gender.
Easily confused with masculinist
Masculine describes qualities conventionally associated with men, whereas a masculinist is a person who promotes male superiority or privilege.