Definition

1. Noun:
   • Excessive or prejudiced support for one's own group, cause, or gender: An attitude of superiority and often aggressive loyalty toward a group to which one belongs, often accompanied by contempt for other groups.
   • Specifically, belief in the superiority of one's own gender: Often used to denote an attitude of male superiority over females (male chauvinism).

Usage

• The term describes an irrational and exaggerated form of loyalty or bias.
• It is typically used in social, political, and gender contexts to criticize prejudiced attitudes.
• It functions as an uncountable noun.

Examples

• His chauvinism made it difficult for him to accept that a woman could be his boss.
• The politician's speech was criticized for its nationalistic chauvinism.
• We must combat all forms of chauvinism in our society.

Advanced Usage

• "Male chauvinism": A specific, common phrase referring to the belief that men are superior to women.
  • The old-fashioned office culture was riddled with male chauvinism.
• "Cultural chauvinism": The belief that one's own culture is superior to all others.
  • Their policy reflected a dangerous cultural chauvinism that dismissed foreign traditions.

Variants and Related Words

• Chauvinist (noun): A person displaying chauvinism.
  • He was labeled a chauvinist for his outdated comments.
• Chauvinistic (adjective): Characterized by chauvinism.
  • His chauvinistic attitudes are no longer tolerated.

Synonyms

• Jingoism: Extreme patriotism, especially in the form of aggressive foreign policy (similar to nationalistic chauvinism).
• Sexism: Prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex (closely related to male chauvinism).
• Bigotry: Obstinate or intolerant devotion to one's own opinions and prejudices.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• "To be accused of chauvinism": A common collocation indicating someone is charged with holding such biased views.
  • The manager was accused of chauvinism after promoting only men.

Noun

1. activity indicative of belief in the superiority of men over women
2. fanatical patriotism