conversion therapy
noun
plural conversion therapies
: the use of any of various methods (such as aversive stimulation or religious counseling) in an attempt to change a person's sexual orientation to heterosexual or to change a person's gender identity to correspond to the sex the person was identified as having at birth
Note: Conversion therapy is generally regarded as having no scientific basis and as being both ineffective and harmful.
Conversion therapy is both pointless and painful. At its best, it can inflict considerable psychological damage on a child without changing their sexual orientation or gender identity whatsoever. At its worst, it can lead to suicide …—
Samantha Allen
Samantha AllenMomentum has been building in legislative sessions this spring for the bans, which prohibit state-licensed mental health professionals from practicing conversion therapy for anyone under 18.—Susan Miller
Susan Millercalled also reparative therapy
Examples of conversion therapy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In: Conversion therapy ban challenge In a major case for its next term, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a First Amendment challenge to conversion therapy bans for LGBTQ+ minors.
—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2025
Colorado's law protecting young people from unscientific and cruel gay conversion therapy practices is humane, smart and appropriate.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Avery Lotz 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy
Supreme Court will hear challenge to Colorado conversion therapy ban
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a challenge to Colorado's law banning conversion therapy aimed at young people.
—Ina Fried, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025
The idea that there are only two genders often is taught in conversion therapy to promote heterosexual behaviors.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conversion therapy
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2025
Colorado's law protecting young people from unscientific and cruel gay conversion therapy practices is humane, smart and appropriate.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Avery Lotz 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy
Supreme Court will hear challenge to Colorado conversion therapy ban
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a challenge to Colorado's law banning conversion therapy aimed at young people.
—Ina Fried, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025
The idea that there are only two genders often is taught in conversion therapy to promote heterosexual behaviors.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conversion therapy
Cite this Entry
“Conversion therapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conversion%20therapy. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share