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
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
The 10th Circuit said that the restriction on conversion therapy implicates speech solely as to the practice of mental health treatment, which can be licensed by the state.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2025
Under current law, however, medical providers are not allowed to provide conversion therapy without risking a fine and the loss of their license.
—Krista Kafer, The Denver Post, 12 Mar. 2025
The Supreme Court agreed on Monday in a case from Colorado to decide whether state and local governments can enforce laws banning conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ children.
—arkansasonline.com, 11 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.
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 18 Mar. 2025
The 10th Circuit said that the restriction on conversion therapy implicates speech solely as to the practice of mental health treatment, which can be licensed by the state.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2025
Under current law, however, medical providers are not allowed to provide conversion therapy without risking a fine and the loss of their license.
—Krista Kafer, The Denver Post, 12 Mar. 2025
The Supreme Court agreed on Monday in a case from Colorado to decide whether state and local governments can enforce laws banning conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ children.
—arkansasonline.com, 11 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 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share