double standard

noun

1
: a set of principles that applies differently and usually more rigorously to one group of people or circumstances than to another
especially : a code of morals that applies more severe standards of sexual behavior to women than to men
2

Examples of double standard in a Sentence

She argued that society applies a double standard in dealing with women who commit adultery.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There seemed to be a double standard in who was getting punished and who wasn’t. Taryn Finley, Refinery29, 15 July 2025 There have always been double standards for men and women on Love Island, but particularly for women of color, who have borne the brunt of the hatred faced by contestants on social media. Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 14 July 2025 Noem suggested that there is a double standard in the way Democrats react to facilities under the Trump administration compared with past Democratic administrations. Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 13 July 2025 These sanctions were seen as unwarranted and as an expression of Western double standards – no sanctions were applied on the U.S. for invading Iraq, of course. Jorge Heine, The Conversation, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for double standard

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of double standard was in 1872

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Cite this Entry

“Double standard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double%20standard. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

double standard

noun
: a set of standards that applies differently and usually more harshly to one group of people or circumstances than to another

More from Merriam-Webster on double standard

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