sexual abuse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2 / High in specific contexts (legal, social work, journalism)Formal, legal, medical, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “sexual abuse” mean?
Unwanted sexual activity, often involving force or coercion, inflicted on a person who does not or cannot consent.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Unwanted sexual activity, often involving force or coercion, inflicted on a person who does not or cannot consent.
Any form of sexual violence, exploitation, or harmful sexual behaviour directed against an individual, including but not limited to rape, molestation, and grooming. It often implies an abuse of power, trust, or authority.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both use the same compound noun. Legal definitions within statutes may vary by jurisdiction.
Connotations
Identically serious, criminal, and condemnatory in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent and standard in formal and public discourse in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “sexual abuse” in a Sentence
accuse someone of sexual abusecharge someone with sexual abuseconvict someone of sexual abusesurvivor of sexual abuseallegation of sexual abuseprotect someone from sexual abuseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sexual abuse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The report concluded that the official had sexually abused multiple children.
- The survivor bravely testified about being sexually abused for years.
American English
- The indictment alleges the coach sexually abused athletes under his care.
- The therapist was licensed to treat adults who had been sexually abused as children.
adverb
British English
- [No direct adverbial form from the noun phrase. 'Sexually abusively' is extremely rare and unnatural.]
American English
- [No direct adverbial form from the noun phrase.]
adjective
British English
- The victim required specialist sexual abuse counselling.
- A national sexual abuse inquiry was established.
American English
- She is a leading attorney in sexual abuse litigation.
- The university reviewed its sexual abuse prevention policy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; only in HR/legal contexts regarding workplace misconduct policies.
Academic
Common in psychology, sociology, criminology, law, and gender studies papers.
Everyday
Used in serious discussions about crime, personal trauma, and news reports. Not casual language.
Technical
Precise term in legal statutes, clinical psychology diagnoses, and social work case files.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sexual abuse”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sexual abuse”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sexual abuse”
- Confusing 'abuse' (noun/verb) pronunciation: /əˈbjuːs/ (noun) vs /əˈbjuːz/ (verb). This term is a noun. Incorrectly using it as a verb (e.g., 'He sexually abused her' is correct; 'He sexual abused her' is not).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rape is a specific, severe form of sexual abuse. 'Sexual abuse' is a broader category that includes rape, molestation, grooming, and other forms of non-consensual sexual activity.
Yes, in many legal and clinical definitions, it can include non-contact acts such as exhibitionism, forcing someone to watch pornography, or online grooming and exploitation.
No. While 'child sexual abuse' is a common collocation, the term applies to victims of any age, including adults in situations of coercion, unequal power, or where consent cannot be given.
Sexual harassment typically refers to a pattern of unwelcome sexual advances, remarks, or behaviour that creates a hostile environment, often in workplace or educational settings. Sexual abuse generally implies more severe, often criminal, physical violation. There can be overlap, but 'abuse' connotes a greater degree of severity and violation.
Unwanted sexual activity, often involving force or coercion, inflicted on a person who does not or cannot consent.
Sexual abuse is usually formal, legal, medical, journalistic in register.
Sexual abuse: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsekʃuəl əˈbjuːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsekʃuəl əˈbjuːs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms; the term itself is a formal technical/literal compound]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Sexual AB-use' – a harmful, wrongful (ab-)use of sexuality.
Conceptual Metaphor
ABUSE IS A VIOLATION OF BOUNDARIES / SEXUALITY IS A TERRITORY.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most appropriate and formal term for a legal context?