sexual assault

American  

[sek-shoo-uhl uh-sawlt] / ˈsɛk ʃu əl əˈsɔlt /

noun

1. nonconsensual touching of one person for the sexual gratification of another, including rape, fondling, molestation, or other unwanted contact with the genitals, anus, buttocks, groin, or breasts of either party.

   The victim was intoxicated and incapable of giving consent, so any sex act will be treated as sexual assault.

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Etymology

Origin of sexual assault

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

He’s the International Criminal Court prosecutor who requested arrest warrants for Israel’s leaders in 2024, shortly after learning he had been accused of sexual assault.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

While the rate of false accusations of sexual assault is already low, it’s rarer still for multiple women to coordinate a conspiracy of false accusations.

From Slate • Apr. 22, 2026

Rose, the 40-year-old Australian actor known for “Orange Is the New Black” and the CW series “Batwoman,” accused Perry, 41, of sexual assault in a series of Threads posts over the weekend.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

Rep. Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor but denied accusations of sexual assault and misconduct.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

The measure would replace the current system of adjudicating sexual assault by taking the cases outside a victim’s chain of command.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

• molestation
• rape
• violation