Misogyny is a noun describing a belief, attitude, or behavior that demeans or discriminates against women. It can manifest as prejudice, hostility, or inequality rooted in gender bias. The term is often used in discussions of sexism, feminism, and social justice to label attitudes and systems that devalue women.
"There is a growing movement to challenge misogyny in the workplace."
"The study explored how misogyny influences media representations of women."
"Some politicians faced accusations of misogyny after dismissive remarks about female colleagues."
"Addressing misogyny requires education, policy change, and cultural shift."
Misogyny derives from the Greek roots misein (to hate) and gunē (woman). The term first appears in English in the 17th century, though its usage was rare until the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The classic formulation reflects ancient Greek thought, with philosophers discussing misandry (hatred of men) and misogyny as a social and psychological phenomenon. Over time, the word has broadened from abstract hatred to include systemic prejudice, cultural norms, and institutional discrimination against women. In modern discourse, misogyny is not merely personal antipathy but a descriptor for practices, policies, and rhetoric that marginalize, belittle, or control women in society. Its usage has intensified with feminist movements, increasing awareness of gender bias, and global conversations about violence against women. The word entered common political and sociological vocabulary as scholars and activists highlighted everyday sexism, online harassment, and structural inequality as manifestations of misogyny.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Misogyny" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Misogyny" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Misogyny" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Misogyny"
-ony sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
Pronounce as /məˈsɒdʒɪni/ (US) or /ˌmɪˈɒdʒɪni/ (UK). It has three syllables: mi-SOG-e-ny, with primary stress on the second syllable. Start with the schwa in the first syllable, then a short, clipped 'sog' vowel, then a clear 'ni' at the end. Lip shaping: lips neutral to slight rounding for the 'o' in 'sog'; tongue tip contacts the ridge for the 'dʒ' blend like in 'j.' Audio reference helps confirm the 'g' as a soft palatal plosive followed by 'ni'.
Common errors: (1) Stress misplaced to mi- or go-; remember the stress is on the second syllable: mi-SOG-e-ny. (2) Mispronouncing the /dʒ/ as a hard /d/ or /j/ only; treat /dʒ/ as a palatal affricate, like in 'gem' or 'mirage.' (3) Vowel quality in the first and third syllables; use a short schwa in the first, a clear mid vowel in 'sog,' and a final schwa or short 'ee' in the last syllable, depending on accent. Practice with minimal pairs to fix these patterns.
US tends to use /məˈsɒdʒɪni/ with a rhotic 'r' tendency absent; UK typically /ˌmɪˈɒdʒɪni/ with clearer non-rhotic r; AU often /ˌmɪˈɒdʒɪni/ similar to UK but with Australian vowel tuning, slightly broader diphthongs and a more centralized starting vowel. The /ɒ/ in the stressed syllable may shift toward a more open back vowel in some speakers. Overall, the three syllables and the /dʒ/ sound remain consistent, but vowel quality and rhoticity subtly shift.
Key challenges: the /sə/ vs /sɒ/ in the first syllable, the palatal /dʒ/ cluster (dʒ) combining with a long-ish vowel, and the final unstressed -ni often reducing to /ni/ or /ni/ with a reduced vowel. The sequence /sɒdʒ/ is not common in English; learners may over-emphasize the /dʒ/ or misplace the stress. Focus on keeping stress steady on the second syllable, and practice the /dʒ/ as a single palatal stop followed by a nasal.
A distinctive nuance is the contrast between the light, schwa-like first syllable and the more defined middle syllable /sɒdʒ/. Users often overemphasize the initial /m/ or mis-tap the /g/ into /ɡ/; keep /mɪ/ or /mə/ lightweight. The middle syllable carries the strongest energy. The final -ny often lands as /ni/ but can drift toward a subtle secondary vowel in rapid speech. Practicing with the IPA helps lock in the accurate mouth positions.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Misogyny"!
No related words found
