What does misogynist mean?
A misogynist is a person who holds or expresses prejudice against women. The term can describe someone who treats women as inferior, dismisses their experiences, or supports discrimination on the basis of sex. It is strongly negative and should generally be used when a person's views or conduct clearly exhibit a pattern of hostility or contempt toward women, rather than merely for an isolated disagreement. As an adjective in phrases such as “misogynist comments,” it describes language or conduct displaying that prejudice, though “misogynistic” is often the more idiomatic choice. The word is important in discussions of literature, politics, media, and social inequality because it identifies prejudice not only as an attitude held by an individual but also as something that can shape institutions and cultural narratives.
nounA person who holds or expresses prejudice, hostility, or discrimination against women on the basis of their sex.
- A person who holds or expresses prejudice, hostility, or discrimination against women.
"She condemned the politician's misogynist remarks as deeply offensive."
"The novel portrays an idealistic young man who gradually becomes a bitter misogynist."
"Campaigners challenged the publication's decision to print the misogynist column."
The regular plural is “misogynists.”
"The panel discussed how online misogynists coordinate harassment campaigns."
Its name literally means “one who hates women”: the word combines Greek roots for hatred and woman.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does misogynist come from?
The word was formed in the late 19th century from Greek misein, meaning “to hate,” and gyne, meaning “woman.” Its development was closely associated with the earlier term “misogyny,” which likewise denotes hatred or hostility toward women. The same Greek root for “woman” appears in words such as “gynecologist” and “androgynous,” although those forms do not share the complete meaning of the headword.
Related word forms
How misogynist is actually used
The term is strongly negative and is used for people believed to express systemic or persistent prejudice against women. In attributive use, it may characterize remarks, attitudes, or rhetoric, although “misogynistic” is often more natural for these things.
Easily confused with misogynist
A misogynist is a person, whereas misogynistic is normally the adjective describing attitudes, behaviour, or remarks.