How often are you interrupted when you speak? And how often is the person doing it a man?
If you’re already familiar with the term “mansplaining,” then it’s time to learn about “manterruption.” It’s a different but closely related behavior: while mansplaining refers to the way someone—usually a man—explains something in a condescending or patronizing tone, manterruption refers to the interruption itself. That is, the moment when a woman is speaking and someone “cuts her off” to impose their own voice.
The term is derived from the words “man” and “interruption” and describes a phenomenon that, although named relatively recently, has existed for decades. In fact, manterruption often precedes mansplaining, creating a pattern where the female voice is first interrupted and then devalued.
There is no shortage of notable examples in the public sphere. During the 2016 U.S. elections, Donald Trump repeatedly interrupted Hillary Clinton during a debate, while she interrupted him only a few times. Similarly, in 2009, at the MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye West publicly interrupted Taylor Swift on stage, creating one of the most awkward moments in pop culture. Similar incidents continue to occur to this day, even in political discussions, as in the case of Anne Ruston, who was publicly interrupted while answering a question.
This phenomenon is not limited to isolated incidents. Research shows that men tend to speak more in professional settings and interrupt other men less, while women often hesitate to speak up, fearing they will be labeled “overbearing” or “bossy.” The result is a vicious cycle: women speak less, not because they lack an opinion, but because the space does not allow them to voice it.
Manterruption, therefore, is not merely rudeness. It is a small, everyday behavior that reflects and reinforces deeper inequalities. And as “insignificant” as it may seem, it influences the way decisions are made—often without equal representation.
Is there a way to address this? According to communication experts, the response can be either gentle or more direct: from calmly pointing out that you were interrupted and continuing, to setting clear boundaries. The important thing is not to lose your voice. To continue the thought from where it was interrupted.
At the same time, change is not just an individual matter. It also concerns the collective attitude in every discussion: to listen, not to interrupt, and to recognize that every voice has equal value.
Because, ultimately, equality isn’t just about big decisions—it’s also about who gets to finish a sentence.
