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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.

Trials are about discovering the truth, and a jury should know if a defendant has been accused of rape or sexual assault in the past.

From Slate • Apr. 22, 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

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese apologised for any "misinterpretation" Thursday after describing a sexual assault survivor who became an advocate for women as "difficult".

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

In his time with the department, Nanos has led major investigations and also faced scrutiny, including over department spending and how he handled a sexual assault case brought by a deputy against another department employee.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 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

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.