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voyeurism

American  
[vwah-yur-iz-uhm, voi-, voi-uh-riz-] / vwɑˈyɜr ɪz əm, vɔɪ-, ˈvɔɪ əˌrɪz- /

noun

  1. the practice of obtaining sexual gratification by looking at sexual objects or acts, especially secretively.

voyeurism Cultural  

  1. Deriving sexual satisfaction by secretly watching others undress or engage in sexual activity. (See peeping Tom.)

Etymology

Origin of voyeurism

voyeur + -ism

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.

The party has put forward a private members' bill calling on the government to update voyeurism legislation to prevent the content from being posted online for profit.

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

There is, therefore, a discomfiting sense of voyeurism.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

Here is this ostensibly brilliant, devilishly handsome, debonair man, touting his biotech voyeurism like he’s a kid showing off a painting he made in art class.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2025

But his awkward dad jokes have raised eyebrows in recent years, with the stalwart host fully committing to an odd voyeurism quip while bantering with White during a 2023 episode.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2024

The 34-year-old also faces six counts of video voyeurism, all third-degree felonies, state court records show.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 5, 2024

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.