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Synonyms

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.

Etymology

Origin of sexual assault

First recorded in 1880–85

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.

He thought he and the organization had vetted Castro sufficiently, considering his past allegation of sexual assault.

From Washington Times

Castro was accused of sexual assault in connection with a 2011 incident in Chicago but was not charged.

From Seattle Times

A Senate subcommittee on Tuesday advanced an amendment to overhaul the military’s process for prosecuting major crimes, including sexual assault, by removing decisions from the chain of command.

From Washington Times

And they are disturbed by the sexual assault charges that were brought against him.

From New York Times

There are more than 3,000 pending cases involving violent crime in King County Superior Court, including more than 250 murders and more than 400 sexual assault and child abuse cases.

From Seattle Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.