mansplaining
6 synonyms for mansplaining, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The act of a man explaining something to a woman in a condescending way, typically assuming she knows less about it than she does.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun informal
The act of a man explaining something to a woman in a condescending way, typically assuming she knows less about it than she does.
“He spent ten minutes mansplaining her own research paper back to her.”
2. verb informal
To explain something to someone, usually a woman, in a patronising manner that presumes ignorance on her part.
“Don't mansplain contract law to a barrister.”
How to use mansplaining
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Informal and often pointed; common in journalism, social media and conversation but rare in formal writing.
Etymology
A blend of man and explaining, formed in the early 21st century.
Full origin of mansplaining →