chauvinism

noun

chau·​vin·​ism ˈshō-və-ˌni-zəm 

1

: an attitude of superiority toward members of the opposite sex

male chauvinism

also : behavior expressive of such an attitude

2

: undue partiality or attachment to a group or place to which one belongs or has belonged

regional chauvinism

3

: excessive or blind patriotism compare jingoism

his fervent nationalism mutated into blatant chauvinism

—Elizabeth Fuller

chauvinist

ˈshō-və-nist 

noun or adjective

chauvinistic

ˌshō-və-ˈni-stik 

adjective

chauvinistically

ˌshō-və-ˈni-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• jingoism
• nationalism
• superpatriotism

Examples of chauvinism in a Sentence

their ingrained chauvinism has blinded them to their country's faults

Recent Examples on the Web

Battling chauvinism within the surfing community - and debilitating injuries - Gabeira finally got her wave, at Nazare, estimated at 73.5 feet, a woman’s record. —Jim Clash, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

There’s a lot of winking and smirking between the two of them, which defuses the crass chauvinism that guides the whole play. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 24 July 2024

There was also the feud with Brooks Koepka, which smacked of chauvinism run amok. —Dave Skretta, Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2024

The Bolsheviks—motivated by Vladimir Lenin’s distaste for chauvinism, as well as a desire to eradicate their political opponents—imprisoned, exiled, or executed Russian nationalists. —Jade McGlynn, Foreign Affairs, 17 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

French chauvinisme, from Nicolas Chauvin, character noted for his excessive patriotism and devotion to Napoleon in Théodore and Hippolyte Cogniard's play La Cocarde tricolore (1831)

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing chauvinism

• male chauvinism

Kids Definition

chauvinism

noun

chau·​vin·​ism ˈshō-və-ˌniz-əm 

1

: exaggerated or unthinking patriotism

2

: an attitude that the members of one's own sex are always better than those of the opposite sex

also : behavior that shows such an attitude

chauvinist

-və-nəst 

noun or adjective

chauvinistic adjective

chauvinistically adverb

Etymology

from French chauvinisme "chauvinism," named for Nicholas Chauvin, a character in a play