Definition

Noun: A person who is formally accused or believed by authorities to have possibly committed the crime of rape, but who has not been convicted. This is a legal status indicating suspicion, not guilt.

Usage

The term is used in legal, journalistic, and formal contexts to refer to an individual under investigation or formally charged in connection with a rape allegation. It specifies the type of crime suspected.

Examples

• The police have detained a rape suspect for questioning.
• The rape suspect appeared in court for a preliminary hearing.
• News reports did not name the rape suspect to protect the victim's privacy.
• The defense attorney argued that there was insufficient evidence to hold her client as a rape suspect.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often part of a longer noun phrase (e.g., "the primary rape suspect," "a suspect in the rape case").
• Its use emphasizes the presumption of innocence in legal systems; a suspect is not guilty until proven so in a court of law.

Variants and Related Words

• Suspect (n.): A more general term for a person suspected of a crime.
• Accused (n.): A person formally charged with a crime.
• Defendant (n.): A person against whom a legal case is brought in court.

Synonyms

• Person of interest (this is a broader, sometimes less formal term)
• Alleged perpetrator (more formal)

Important Notes

• "Rape suspect" is a compound noun. The core word being explained in this entry is the full compound term "rape suspect."
• The term is sensitive and should be used with precision to avoid prejudging the individual's guilt.

Noun

1. someone who is suspected of committing rape