weaker sex
Chauvinistic term, females
The weaker sex is an old-fashioned and now offensive term for women collectively, based on the assumption that females are physically or constitutionally inferior to males.
The phrase appears mainly in historical texts or ironic usage: He still believes women are the weaker sex.
Modern use typically signals sexism or mocks outdated attitudes.
Refined sensitivity or rarity
- fragilityEase of breaking
- gentlenessSoft, kind demeanor
- softnessYielding to gentle pressure
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
sensitivity · frailty · timidity · passivity · submissiveness · meekness · daintiness · helplessness
Fixed oversimplified notion
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- chauvinismMilitant devotion to group
- disparagementCriticism meant to diminish
belittlement · condescension · patronizing · demeaning · derogatory · outdated · pejorative · misogynist
Forcing into submission
- subordinationLower position in hierarchy
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- male supremacyMen's assumed superiority
paternalism · inferiority · power imbalance · hegemony · control · traditionalism · privilege · entitlement
Unequal distribution of resources
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- glass ceilingUnacknowledged limit blocking advancement
- underestimationJudging below actual value
devaluation · disempowerment · unfairness · underrepresentation · pay gap · workplace bias · double standard · unequal treatment
Advocacy for sex equality
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- subversionUndermining established authority
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
critique · deconstruction · reappropriation · challenge · satire · pushback · rebuttal
delicacy
Refined sensitivity or rarity
- fragilityEase of breaking
- gentlenessSoft, kind demeanor
- softnessYielding to gentle pressure
vulnerability · sensitivity · frailty · timidity · passivity · submissiveness · meekness · daintiness · helplessness · dependency
stereotype
Fixed oversimplified notion
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- chauvinismMilitant devotion to group
disparagement · belittlement · condescension · patronizing · demeaning · derogatory · outdated · pejorative · misogynist · male chauvinist
subjugation
Forcing into submission
- subordinationLower position in hierarchy
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
male supremacy · paternalism · inferiority · power imbalance · hegemony · control · traditionalism · privilege · entitlement · hierarchy
inequality
Unequal distribution of resources
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
- exclusionBeing barred from participation
- glass ceilingUnacknowledged limit blocking advancement
underestimation · devaluation · disempowerment · unfairness · underrepresentation · pay gap · workplace bias · double standard · unequal treatment
feminism
Advocacy for sex equality
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- subversionUndermining established authority
irony · critique · deconstruction · reappropriation · challenge · satire · pushback · rebuttal
weaker sexwomen warriors
Female combatants in battle
amazons · feminists · womankind · sisterhood
weaker, sex, weak, weakest, weakly, weakness, weaknesses, weaken, weakened