😨 Fear of difference 🚫 Dislike of heterosexuals

heterophobia

9.9

Unfriendly or unfair treatment of straight people

noun
/ˌhɛtəroʊˈfoʊbiə/

Offensive

: heterofobia

The article discussed the rise of heterophobia in certain online communities.

Examples

Accusations of heterophobia can sometimes be used to silence conversations about equality.
Educators are increasingly addressing heterophobia to foster an inclusive environment for all students.
Some people believe that heterophobia is a reaction to years of discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.
Many people do not understand what heterophobia really means.
Some argue that heterophobia is a form of discrimination.
The report highlighted how heterophobia can create a divide in discussions about sexual orientation.
Discussions about heterophobia are essential for understanding the spectrum of discrimination in society.

Antonyms

to support

∞ 1.0

Give help to a person or idea

acceptance

101 2.9

Willingness to be friendly to people and ideas that are different

How Hostile

hostility

147 4.7

prejudice

180 4.8

aversion

31 6.5

heterophobia

Offensive

9.9

dislike

Texting

49 1.0

unease

19 4.4

tolerance

160 3.7

Surface Forms

heterophobia singular

heterophobias plural

Morphology

heterophobia = phobia (semi-transparent) = hetero + phobia

Morphologically clear as 'hetero-' + 'phobia', but here 'hetero' refers specifically to 'heterosexual' (a social group), so the social/political sense (prejudice or hostility) is an extension of literal 'fear'.

Etymology

Heterophobia also comes from hetero- 'other' and -phobia 'fear', and because hetero- is the start of heterosexual, some people use heterophobia to mean hostile feelings or unfair treatment of straight people.