misandry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, academic, sociological, polemical
Quick answer
What does “misandry” mean?
The hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against men or boys.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against men or boys.
A sociological and psychological concept describing systemic or individual prejudice, discrimination, or hostility directed at men, often discussed in contrast to misogyny.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition. The term is used in similar academic and online discourse contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Often carries political connotations, frequently used in discussions within men's rights activism, gender studies, and online debates about gender equality. Can be considered a loaded term.
Frequency
Low-frequency in general discourse but appears with increasing frequency in specialized online and academic discussions about gender.
Grammar
How to Use “misandry” in a Sentence
[verb: display, exhibit, accuse of, condemn] + misandrymisandry + [preposition: towards, against] + menVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “misandry” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- Her essay was criticised for its underlying misandry.
- The commentator argued that certain policies, while aiming for equality, bordered on institutional misandry.
American English
- The film was accused of promoting misandry through its portrayal of all male characters as villains.
- He claims to experience misandry in the family court system.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Might appear in discussions of workplace gender dynamics or Diversity & Inclusion training in a theoretical context.
Academic
Primary context. Used in gender studies, sociology, psychology, and feminist theory papers and debates.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. Mostly confined to online forums, opinion pieces, and discussions about gender politics.
Technical
Used as a technical term in sociological and psychological literature discussing gender-based prejudices.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “misandry”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “misandry”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “misandry”
- Confusing with 'misogyny' (hatred of women).
- Confusing with 'misanthropy' (hatred of humanity).
- Using it to describe general criticism of patriarchal systems rather than hatred of men as individuals.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Linguistically and historically, 'misogyny' is far more prevalent and documented. 'Misandry' is a newer, less commonly used term primarily found in specific academic or online discourse.
This is a major point of debate. Some argue that certain legal or social practices demonstrate institutional misandry (e.g., in child custody or sentencing). Others contend that while individual prejudice exists, there is no systemic power structure equivalent to patriarchy that enforces misandry.
Misandry is hatred or prejudice specifically against men. Misanthropy is a general hatred, distrust, or contempt for the human species or human nature.
No. The term implies deep-seated hatred or prejudice. Legitimate social criticism of male behaviour or patriarchal structures should not be conflated with misandry, which denotes an irrational bias against men as a group.
The hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against men or boys.
Misandry is usually formal, academic, sociological, polemical in register.
Misandry: in British English it is pronounced /mɪˈsændri/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɪˈsændri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A culture of misandry”
- “The flip side of misogyny”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember 'mis-' (wrong, hatred) + '-andry' (from Greek 'andros' for man/husband), parallel to 'misogyny' ('gyny' from woman).
Conceptual Metaphor
PREJUDICE IS A POISON / HATRED IS A DISEASE (e.g., 'a society infected with misandry').
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'misandry' MOST likely to be encountered?