pederast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pederast" is correct and usable in written English, though it is a formal and somewhat archaic term.
It can be used in discussions about historical or legal contexts regarding adult men who engage in sexual relationships with boys, often in a criminal or exploitative manner. Example: "The court case involved a pederast who was charged with multiple counts of abuse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

They lived "in happy squalor on the Left Bank for two or three years amid the whores, jazz musicians and pederast poets".

The Economist

In 1981 Dickens had used Parliamentary privilege to name a diplomat and MI6 operative, Sir Peter Hayman as a pederast and demanded the Attorney General explain why he had escaped prosecution over the discovery of violent pornography on a London bus two years previously.

Independent

It's impossible not to notice, while reading through the Library of America's newly published edition of McCullers's five novels, that almost all of her characters — from the wayward children to the deaf-mute, the alcoholic Communist, the hunchback dwarf, the pederast, and the closeted homosexual Army captain — are Africanist, in that each defines the status quo by existing outside it.

The New Yorker

When someone refers to Cox as "a pederast," the boy takes it to be a synonym for "astrologer".

The New Yorker

I am not a paedophile or pederast".

Independent

Could it be the fact that his mother's boyfriend was a depraved pederast who assaulted him?

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Of course they were sexists, racists, pederasts, colonialists, anti-Semites.

Independent

Sally Bowles at the Lady Windermere, transvestites at the Eldorado, "sugar-lickers" (pederasts), Münzis (pregnant whores).

The New Yorker

Never merely murderers, thieves, or pederasts, they are magnificently, abjectly themselves, still sinning and suffering in a place that, far from abstract or notional, is scorchingly, stinkingly real.

The New Yorker

Neither can pederasts.

The Guardian

The campaign was the first outright appeal to naked homophobia in modern American politics, summoning up dire imagery of pederasts "recruiting" children to the devious homosexual agenda.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the term "pederast" with caution and awareness of its historical and legal baggage. Consider more modern and direct alternatives like "child molester" or "paedophile" depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "pederast" interchangeably with terms like "homosexual" or "gay". "Pederast" specifically refers to an adult male engaging in sexual relationships with a boy, while homosexuality describes attraction to the same gender, regardless of age.

Linguistic Context

The noun "pederast" functions as a label for an individual characterized by specific sexual behavior. Ludwig AI confirms that this term identifies a man engaging in erotic relationships with adolescent boys.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "pederast" is a grammatically sound noun used to describe a man engaging in erotic relationships with adolescent boys. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's crucial to acknowledge its sensitive nature and legal implications. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, its use carries a neutral to formal tone. When writing, consider more direct or contemporary alternatives like "child molester" or "paedophile", depending on the intended audience and context. Understanding the specific meaning of "pederast" and its differentiation from broader terms like "homosexual" is essential for accurate and responsible communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Child molester

This term is a more direct and commonly used synonym, focusing on the act of molestation.

Paedophile

This is a broader term referring to a sexual attraction to children, often used in clinical contexts.

Pedophile

Alternate spelling of paedophile, referring to sexual attraction to children.

Abuser of boys

This specifies the gender of the victims, offering a more targeted description.

Sex offender against children

This is a legal term describing someone convicted of a sexual crime against a child.

Sexual predator of minors

This phrase highlights the predatory nature of the behavior, emphasizing exploitation and harm.

Child abuser

This term emphasizes the abusive nature of the relationship, focusing on harm rather than attraction.

One who exploits children

Focuses on the act of taking advantage of children.

Boy lover

A more euphemistic and less clinical term for someone attracted to boys.

Pervert

This is a general term for someone with atypical or immoral sexual desires, applicable but less specific.

FAQs

How is "pederast" used in a sentence?

The term "pederast" is used to describe a man who engages in an erotic relationship with an adolescent boy. For example: "The historical texts described the Roman emperor as a known "pederast"."

What are some alternatives to using "pederast"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "pederast" include "child molester", "paedophile", or "sex offender against children".

What is the correct pronunciation of "pederast"?

The word "pederast" is typically pronounced as /ˈpɛdəræst/.

What's the difference between "paedophile" and "pederast"?

"Paedophile" is a broader term referring to someone sexually attracted to children in general, while "pederast" specifically refers to a man who engages in sexual relations with adolescent boys.