molester
/mou'lestə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A person who subjects others to unwanted or improper sexual activities: A "molester" is an individual who commits acts of sexual abuse or harassment, typically involving inappropriate touching or other forms of unwanted sexual contact, often against someone who is vulnerable, such as a child.
Usage
- The term "molester" is a strong, specific, and legal term. It is used to formally label a person who has committed a serious sexual offense. It is not used casually.
- It is most commonly associated with child molestation, referring to an adult who sexually abuses a child.
- The word carries a heavy negative connotation and implies criminal behavior.
Examples
- Noun:
- The convicted child molester was sentenced to life in prison.
- The investigation aimed to identify the molester who had been targeting children in the neighborhood.
- Survivors of abuse bravely testified against their molester in court.
Advanced Usage
- "Alleged molester": Used in legal or journalistic contexts before a person has been formally convicted, to indicate the accusation.
- The alleged molester was released on bail pending trial.
- "Sexual molester": A more explicit variant, though "molester" alone typically implies a sexual context in modern usage.
- The program is designed to rehabilitate convicted sexual molesters.
Variants and Related Words
- Molest (verb): To subject someone to unwanted or improper sexual activity.
- He was accused of attempting to molest a minor.
- Molestation (noun): The act or instance of molesting someone.
- She was a victim of childhood molestation.
Synonyms
- Predator: Often used for someone who seeks out victims to exploit or abuse, especially sexually.
- Abuser: A more general term for someone who mistreats others, which can include sexual abuse.
- Perpetrator: A formal term for a person who carries out a harmful or illegal act.
Related Phrases
- Child molester: The most common specific phrase, referring explicitly to an adult who sexually abuses a child.
- The registry lists the names and addresses of convicted child molesters.
Noun
- someone who subjects others to unwanted or improper sexual activities