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gender critical

American  
[jen-der krit-i-kuhl] / ˈdʒɛn dər ˈkrɪt ɪ kəl /
Or gender-critical

adjective

  1. relating to, holding, or promoting the belief that sex is a binary and unchangeable characteristic that is determined at birth and that dictates a person's social, linguistic, and legal status or position.


Etymology

Origin of gender critical

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Under the Equality Act, religion or belief, including holding gender critical views, can be protected from discrimination.

From BBC Jun. 27, 2026

The gender critical women's campaign group Sex Matters said this "should have been common sense" but it was "relieved and delighted" by the tribunal's findings.

From BBC Jan. 21, 2026

She alleged harassment and victimisation under the Equality Act 2010 relating to her gender critical beliefs.

From BBC Sep. 3, 2025

His comments were ridiculed by then Tory leader Sunak – and did not go down well with gender critical campaigners in his own party.

From BBC Apr. 16, 2025

Her perspectives also track, to a point, with so-called gender critical beliefs that center on the differences between biological sex and gender expression.

From New York Times Nov. 12, 2022

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