Phaedra complex

noun

A designation to the sexual desire of a stepparent for their stepchild; the term has been extended to cover difficult relationships between stepparents and stepchildren in general.

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Meanings

nounPhaedra complex (uncountable)
  1. informaluncountablehuman sciencesA designation to the sexual desire of a stepparent for their stepchild; the term has been extended to cover difficult relationships between stepparents and stepchildren in general.

Origin

Named for the Cretan princess Phaedra who fell in love with her stepson, Hippolytus of Athens in Greek Mythology.

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Cite this entry
APA

Phaedra complex. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Phaedra%20complex

MLA

“Phaedra complex.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Phaedra%20complex. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Phaedra complex,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Phaedra%20complex.

Source: Phaedra complex on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.