sexual abuse

[ sek-shoo-uhluh-byoos ]

/ ˈsɛk ʃu əl əˈbyus /

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See synonyms for sexual abuse on Thesaurus.com

noun

nonconsensual touching of a person for one’s own sexual gratification or for the sexual gratification of someone else, especially when the nonconsenting party is a child: When children experience sexual abuse, it is rarely a stranger perpetrating the crime, but more commonly an authority figure or other adult they know.

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Also called sex a·buse

[seksuh-byoos] /ˈsɛks əˈbyus/ .

Origin of sexual abuse

First recorded in 1875–80 in the sense “masturbation”

Words nearby sexual abuse

sextuplet, sextuplex, sextuplicate, sex-typed, sexual, sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual dimorphism, sexual generation, sexual harassment, sexual intercourse

How to use sexual abuse in a sentence

The father, Jean Paul Kruse, was later charged with rape and sexual abuse.
Judge: Rehoming Kids Is Trafficking|Tina Traster|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Lena Dunham has been (crazily) accused of “sexual abuse” by right-wing troll sites for a passage in her memoir.
Welcome to Generation Overshare: Lena Dunham, Taylor Swift, and the Politics of Self-Disclosure|Marlow Stern|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Other risk factors include a history of sexual abuse and bulimia, both of which also affect more women than men.
Elizabeth Peña and the Truth About Alcoholic Women|Gabrielle Glaser|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It's still a message of if you're going to come forward and accuse people of sexual abuse, you're still taking a risk.
The Orthodox Sex Abuse Crackdown That Wasn’t|Emily Shire|October 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Still, Lambert says, he was surprised to hear about the allegations of sexual abuse.
This 'Holy Guy'—and Grandfather of 100—Is Accused of Sexually Abusing a Student|Batya Ungar-Sargon|September 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The exciting or efficient cause is sexual abuse, and more particularly onanism.
A Problem in Modern Ethics|John Addington Symonds
They received their information from sources and in a way that led to sexual abuse.
Self Knowledge and Guide to Sex Instruction|T. W. Shannon
It is well known that sexual abuse is a very potent cause of throat diseases.
Plain Facts for Old and Young|John Harvey Kellogg
This year we will intensify our drive against these and other horrible crimes like sexual abuse and family violence.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006|Various

Cultural definitions for sexual abuse

sexual abuse

Unwanted sexual activity forced on a person by another through coercion or threats.

sexual abuse

Origin of sexual abuse

Words nearby sexual abuse

Words related to sexual abuse

How to use sexual abuse in a sentence

Cultural definitions for sexual abuse