anti-feminism
|an-ti-fem-i-niz-um|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.tiˈfɛmɪnɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tiˈfemɪnɪz(ə)m/
against feminism
Etymology
'anti-feminism' originates from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against') combined with 'feminism' (from French 'féminisme', ultimately from Latin 'femina' meaning 'woman').
'feminism' entered English in the late 19th century from French 'féminisme' (itself from 'féminin' and Latin 'femina'). The compound 'anti-feminism' was formed in English after the rise of 'feminism' to denote opposition to that movement and its goals.
Initially it simply signified 'opposition to the feminist movement or ideology'; over time its use broadened in some contexts to include organized political resistance, cultural backlash, or attitudes overlapping with misogyny.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
opposition to the ideology, goals, or movements of feminism.
Anti-feminism grew in some regions as a reaction to changing gender roles.
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Noun 2
a collection of beliefs, policies, or actions that resist legal or social changes promoted by feminists (for example, equality measures or reproductive rights).
Critics argued that some anti-feminism policies rolled back hard-won rights for women.
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Noun 3
hostility or dislike directed at feminism or feminists; sometimes overlaps with misogyny but can specifically target the movement rather than all women.
Social media has amplified both feminist voices and anti-feminism responses, sometimes turning debates abusive.
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Last updated: 2025/10/28 12:34