/ˈsɛksɪzəm/
Say it backSexism is the belief that one gender is superior to another, or the policy or practice based on such belief. It manifests in attitudes, language, and unequal treatment in social, political, or workplace contexts. The term combines sex, meaning gender, with -ism, indicating a system or ideology. It is a critical term in discussions of equality and human rights.
"Despite progress, sexism persists in hiring practices and salary negotiations."
"She spoke out against sexism in the workplace and advocated for policy changes."
"Media representations often perpetuate sexist stereotypes that influence public perception."
Pronounce it as /ˈsɛk.ɪ.zəm/ in US/UK; primary stress on the first syllable. Start with a short, crisp /s/ followed by /ɛ/ (as in 'set'), then /k/ and a light /ɪ/ before the final /z/ or /z/ in many accents, and end with /əm/. Tip: keep the first syllable strong but not overly elongated; the second syllable is unstressed, and the final schwa is quick. Audio examples: consult Cambridge/Oxford or Forvo for native recordings.
Common errors: merging /k/ with /s/ (sxe-kiz-um), pronouncing /z/ as /s/ throughout (sexism becomes sexisum), or stress shifting to the second syllable. Correction tips: ensure /ˈsɛk/ forms a tight onset with a clear /k/ before the unstressed /ɪ/; keep /z/voiceless? Here it’s /z/ voiced before the final /əm/. Practice by isolating syllables: /ˈsɛk/ - /ɪ/ - /zəm/, then blend smoothly. Use minimal pairs like /sɛk/ vs /sɑk/ to reinforce the difference.
US/UK/AU share /ˈsɛk.ɪ.zəm/ with final schwa, but rhoticity matters: US tends to pronounce the final /m/ with a slightly heavier lip rounding; UK may have a crisper /z/ and more clipped /ɪ/; AU often reduces unstressed vowels more, slightly shifting /ɪ/ toward a centralized vowel. The first syllable stays stressed across accents, but the /r/ coloration is minimal in non-rhotic accents. Listening to native speakers in each region helps internalize these subtle shifts.
Two main challenges: the compact /k/ cluster /ˈsɛk/ with a strong stop followed by /ɪ/ in the second syllable; and the transition from a voiced /z/ to a mid-central /ə/ in /zəm/, which can drift toward a syllabic /m/ if spoken quickly. People also overemphasize vowels, making /ˈsɛk.ɪ.zəm/ sound choppy. Focus on the quick, light /z/ and a relaxed, short /ə/ to achieve natural rhythm.
Unique aspect: the sequence /k/ to /ɪ/ creates a brief stop before a lax vowel; you want a clean separation between /k/ and /ɪ/ without adding a vowel between. Also watch the /z/ becoming /s/ in some dialects when surrounding voiceless consonants in rapid speech. Keep the final /əm/ as a quick, soft schwa plus nasal /m/, avoiding a heavy final vowel.
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Sexism derives from the root word sex, used in English since the 14th century to denote biological distinction, combined with the suffix -ism, from Greek -ismos via Latin -ismus, indicating a doctrine, system, or practice. The modern social-use sense—prejudice or discrimination based on gender—emerged in the 20th century amid feminist movements and anti-discrimination discourse. First attested in academic and political discourse in the 1960s and 1970s, sexism gained prominence as social scientists analyzed gender-based stereotypes and institutional inequities. The term crystallized to describe both explicit discriminatory acts and the implicit cultural norms that sustain gender hierarchies. Over time, sexism has become a central category in debates about civil rights, workplace policy, and education reform, as scholars link it to issues like pay gaps, representation, and access to opportunities. Contemporary usage often pairs with phrases like “sexism in the workplace,” “sexism in media,” and “intersectional sexism,” acknowledging how gender prejudice intersects with race, class, and sexuality.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "sexism" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "sexism"
-ism sounds
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