heteronormative
adjective
het·ero·nor·ma·tive
ˌhē-tə-rō-ˈnȯr-mə-tiv 
: 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
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
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.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
-
Palter, Dissemble, and Other Words for Lying
Trust us
-
Skunk, Bayou, and Other Words with Native American Origins
You've used more than you might think
-
Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names, Vol. 2
When 'thingamajig' and 'thingamabob' just won't do
-
When Were Words First Used?
Look up any year to find out
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share