heteronormative

adjective

het·​ero·​nor·​ma·​tive ˌhē-tə-rō-ˈnȯr-mə-tiv How to pronounce heteronormative (audio)
: of, relating to, or based on the attitude that heterosexuality is the only normal and natural expression of sexuality

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Shamir’s shooting vocals are defiant over confrontational noise-pop that embodies the scalding resistance he’s built up in an oppressively heteronormative world. Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 14 Feb. 2022 Sylvia Sierra, an assistant professor of communication and rhetorical studies at Syracuse University, said that sexism and misogyny are at the root of why heteronormative men often balk at being called a feminine term. Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, 23 Apr. 2023 Three intersex people challenge a heteronormative system of secrecy and non-consensual surgery. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 18 Apr. 2023 Such couples would be able to make use of surrogacy services, and be entitled to the same or similar family rights, social security benefits, tax-deduction privileges and other perks that people in gender-normative and heteronormative marriages have. Time, 3 Nov. 2022 The majority of romance readers are still women, yes, but with more publishers focusing on LGBTQ+ experiences and expanding past the traditional heteronormative girl-meets-guy plot, publishers predict male readership will only increase. Emily Bond, menshealth.com, 19 Apr. 2023 But performers, advocates and experts say this is nothing new: the political broadsides evoke the country's long history of criminal and cultural pressure placed on the LGBTQ community by largely straight and white leaders who enforce heteronormative standards. Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press, 29 June 2022 Is that heteronormative? Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2021 By the way, most of these studies are still talking about cisgender and heteronormative couples. Shayla Love, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heteronormative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1991, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heteronormative was in 1991

Dictionary Entries Near heteronormative

Cite this Entry

“Heteronormative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heteronormative. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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