transphobia

noun

trans·​pho·​bia ˌtran(t)s-ˈfō-bē-ə 

ˌtranz-

: discrimination against, aversion to, or fear of transgender people

Homophobia and transphobia are still major issues among LGBTQ youth, who are at higher risk for verbal harassment by classmates …

—Erica Lenti

compare homophobia

Examples of transphobia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Multi-time Golden Globes host Gervais, who was absent from the 2026 ceremony, didn't escape the comedian's bit, with Skyes calling out the allegations of transphobia raised by his past material — particularly in his 2022 special SuperNature. —Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Jan. 2026

Musk declared his intention on his social media platform X, formerly Twitter, on Monday, Jan. 12, after St. Clair responded to a comment on her own X account a day before about her past actions of apparent transphobia. —Kate Perez, USA Today, 13 Jan. 2026

Mace has since used a trans slur, and Trump played on voters’ transphobia to help win reëlection. —Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026

This dangerous cocktail of transphobia and conspiracy theories is a poor substitute for scientific evidence. —MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

trans entry 1 + -phobia

First Known Use

1992, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for transphobia

• phobia
• agoraphobia
• claustrophobia
• homophobia
• hydrophobia
• photophobia
• xenophobia
• rhizobia