machismo
Exaggerated masculine pride
Machismo is aggressive masculine pride—an exaggerated sense of manhood that emphasizes strength, sexual prowess, and dominance.
The word comes from Spanish and often carries a critical edge, implying that the behavior is excessive or compensatory: His machismo wouldn't let him ask for directions.
The culture of machismo can discourage men from showing vulnerability or emotion.
Pretense of fearlessness
- cockinessBrash overconfidence
- arroganceExcessive self-importance
- swaggerConfident, boastful manner
- boastfulnessExcessive pride in oneself
boldness · brashness · audacity · overconfidence · egotism · self-importance · conceit · hubris
Adult male status
- virilityMasculine strength and potency
- manlinessMasculine character traits
- testosteroneChief male sex hormone
- potencyDegree of strength
toughness · strength · bravery · courage · stoicism · endurance · muscularity · fearlessness
Hostility toward women
- patriarchyMale-dominated social order
- chauvinismMilitant devotion to group
- paternalismControlling others for their good
- male supremacyMen's assumed superiority
objectification · double standards · toxic masculinity · gender discrimination · domineering · possessiveness · honor culture
Superior influence over others
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- violenceHarmful physical force
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
threats · hostility · confrontation · combativeness · force · brutality · antagonism · belligerence
Intimidating, resilient person
- alpha maleDominant group leader
- womanizerMan exploiting many lovers
- playboyWealthy hedonist, carefree lifestyle
- lotharioHabitual seducer of women
Don Juan · strongman · caballero · charro · gaucho · conquistador · matador · Latin lover
Collective opinion of someone
- respectRegard with honor
- prideSatisfaction from one's achievements
- dignityInnate personal worth
- face-savingProtecting one's dignity
family honor · dueling · blood feud · saving face · public image · status · standing
Power to enforce obedience
- controlAuthority to direct
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- leadershipAbility to direct others
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
subjugation · hierarchy · subordination · assertiveness · territoriality · protectiveness · head of household · breadwinner
bravado
Pretense of fearlessness
boastfulness · boldness · brashness · audacity · overconfidence · egotism · self-importance · conceit · hubris · pompousness
manhood
Adult male status
- virilityMasculine strength and potency
- manlinessMasculine character traits
- testosteroneChief male sex hormone
potency · toughness · strength · bravery · courage · stoicism · endurance · muscularity · fearlessness · hardness
misogyny
Hostility toward women
- patriarchyMale-dominated social order
- chauvinismMilitant devotion to group
- paternalismControlling others for their good
male supremacy · objectification · double standards · toxic masculinity · gender discrimination · domineering · possessiveness · honor culture
dominance
Superior influence over others
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- violenceHarmful physical force
coercion · threats · hostility · confrontation · combativeness · force · brutality · antagonism · belligerence · pugnacity
tough guy
Intimidating, resilient person
- alpha maleDominant group leader
- womanizerMan exploiting many lovers
- playboyWealthy hedonist, carefree lifestyle
lothario · Don Juan · strongman · caballero · charro · gaucho · conquistador · matador · Latin lover · bandido
reputation
Collective opinion of someone
face-saving · family honor · dueling · blood feud · saving face · public image · status · standing
authority
Power to enforce obedience
- controlAuthority to direct
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- leadershipAbility to direct others
command · subjugation · hierarchy · subordination · assertiveness · territoriality · protectiveness · head of household · breadwinner · decision-maker
- machoalpha male, tough guy, bravado, testosterone, virility
- Latino CultureHispanic Americans, Latino, Chicana, Mexican-American, Cuban Americans
- locker room talkcrude jokes, dirty jokes, trash talk, smack talk, bragging
- masculinitymanhood, masculinity, manliness, alpha male, manly
- aggressionhostility, violence, attack, fight, combativeness
- gendergender, male, female, masculine, feminine
machismofemininity
Female nature or character
womanliness · effeminacy · femaleness · womanhood · girlishness
machismovulnerability
Openness to harm
sensitivity · tenderness · softness · empathy · nurturing