rapist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rapist" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in discussions about crime, legal matters, or social issues related to sexual violence. Example: "The rapist was apprehended after a thorough investigation by the police."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Why did not one of the "hundreds of people" LaBeouf says saw his alleged rapist walk out of the Cohen gallery – people who posted hundreds of tweets, YouTube videos and blog posts from the event – mention the incident?

The Guardian - Film

Marnie is a terrible movie, and a cruel one: the idea that a woman sexually traumatised by her childhood can be saved by submitting to a controlling rapist is offensive, as well as plain wrong.

The Guardian - Film

They acknowledge that a rapist isn't just a stranger in a dark alley – it's more likely to be the person next door who you were too drunk to consent to sleep with, or the friend who refused your request to stop halfway through.

The Guardian - Opinion

And in October, Chloe Madeley, daughter of TV presenters Richard and Judy, was targeted for harassment by people upset about her mother's comments about convicted rapist Ched Evans.

The Guardian - Tech

Lovely Linda, who only has to frown to spark the nation's tears, hasn't had the easiest of pregnancies, what with the spectre of her latest offspring being the spawn of rapist Deano hanging over it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Scurrilous in what way?" "There's a guy who has some traction in our space, who runs a company – he's a convicted rapist," Michael said.

The Guardian - Tech

Speaking last week, Di Angelo said he did not mind getting "abuse" for playing a rapist if the shocking storyline helped real-life victims.

The Guardian

The day before, a man at Cosby's performance in London, Ontario, called the comedian a rapist.

The Guardian

Fresh corpses also appear in many British-made dramas and series, such as Silent Witness, Lewis, Whitechapel, Ripper Street, What Remains and The Fall, the BBC2 drama serial starring Gillian Anderson, in which a rapist and serial killer preys on a string of attractive young women.

The Guardian

And we've had South Yorkshire police investigating rape threats sent on Twitter to Jessica Ennis-Hill after she warned Sheffield United against re-signing convicted rapist Ched Evans.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bassi said officials were also seeking to establish how the alleged rapist, named as Shiv Kumar Yadav, obtained a police certificate showing a clean criminal record.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about this topic, if your goal is to promote understanding, use the term “perpetrator of sexual violence” to help shift the focus to the crime rather than the person doing it.

Common error

Avoid using the term "rapist" for individuals who have not been convicted in a court of law. Instead, use "alleged" or "accused" to maintain accuracy and avoid defamation.

Linguistic Context

The noun "rapist" functions as a label for an individual who has committed the crime of rape. Ludwig examples show its usage in legal and news contexts, accurately identifying individuals convicted or accused of this specific crime. The Ludwig AI confirms it's correct use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "rapist" is a noun used to label an individual convicted of rape. It is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media contexts. However, it's essential to use it judiciously, especially when referring to someone not yet convicted, where alternatives like "alleged rapist" are more appropriate. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use. When aiming for a less stigmatizing approach, phrases like "perpetrator of sexual violence" can shift focus from the person to the act. This guide offers a detailed linguistic analysis, related phrases, and writing tips for using "rapist" effectively and responsibly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

convicted rapist

Specifies that the person has been found guilty of rape in a court of law.

alleged rapist

Indicates that the person has been accused of rape but has not been convicted.

sexual assailant

More formal and clinical; emphasizes the act of assault rather than labeling the person.

sexual predator

Implies a pattern of predatory behavior and targeting of vulnerable individuals.

perpetrator of sexual violence

A more formal and descriptive term, focusing on the act of violence.

sexual abuser

Broader term encompassing various forms of sexual mistreatment, not exclusively rape.

attacker

A more general term that can be used to describe someone who commits any kind of assault, including sexual assault.

offender

A legal term referring to someone who has committed a crime.

violator

Refers to someone who violates laws or rights, including those related to sexual assault.

the accused

A neutral term referring to someone who has been formally charged with a crime, including rape, but not yet convicted.

FAQs

What is the legal definition of "rapist"?

A "rapist" is a person who has been convicted of the crime of rape, which is typically defined as non-consensual sexual intercourse. The specific legal definition can vary by jurisdiction.

What can I say instead of "rapist" if the person has not been convicted?

If the person has not been convicted, use terms like "alleged rapist", "the accused", or "suspect" to avoid implying guilt before a trial.

Is it appropriate to use the term "rapist" in journalistic writing?

It is appropriate to use "rapist" in journalistic writing only when referring to someone who has been convicted of rape. Otherwise, use neutral terms such as "alleged rapist" to maintain objectivity.

What are some less stigmatizing alternatives to "rapist"?

While "rapist" is the accurate legal term for someone convicted of rape, some less stigmatizing alternatives that focus on the action include "perpetrator of sexual violence" or "sexual assailant".