sexual harassment

[sek-shoo-uhl huh-ras-muhnt, har-uhs-muhnt] / ˈsɛk ʃu əl həˈræs mənt, ˈhær əs mənt /

NOUN

unwanted sexual advance

Synonyms

STRONGEST

exploitation impropriety intimidation victimization

WEAK

inappropriate behavior offensive sexual advance sexual abuse sexual pressure suggestive comments unprofessional behavior unwanted sexual advances

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.

Department of Education characterizes the investigation as under Title IX, a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual assault and violence in any education program or activity receiving federal funding.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

TfL's Act Like a Friend campaign encouraged passengers to safely intervene if they witnessed sexual harassment or a hate crime on the transport network.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

She was part of the team that investigated sexual harassment and assault by Uber and Lyft drivers, and spearheaded the network's coverage of Elizabeth Holmes' criminal fraud trial.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

Bob Woodward reported in “Fear” that Donald Trump once offered a friend accused of sexual harassment a simple strategy: “You’ve got to deny, deny, deny and push back… if you admit to anything, you’re dead.”

From Salon • Dec. 4, 2025

In 1979, Catharine MacKinnon published her breakthrough book The Sexual Harassment of Working Women, which theorized how sexual harassment violated the law.

From Slate • Nov. 24, 2025