sexual harassment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sexual harassment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to unwanted advances or behavior of a sexual nature in a workplace or learning environment. For example: "The company has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sexual harassment is bad.

The Economist

Sexual harassment is deplorable.

Independent

I hate the sexual harassment.

The New York Times

Related: Flirtation or sexual harassment?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sexual harassment watchtower in Tahrir.

The New York Times

Sexual harassment, by industry.

The New York Times

There is sexual harassment.

The New York Times

Combating sexual harassment, discrimination.

The Washington Post

Sexual harassment is endemic in Egypt.

The New York Times

Did you consider this sexual harassment?

The New York Times - Magazine

Sexual harassment is a serious subject.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "sexual harassment", be specific about the behaviors that constitute it to avoid ambiguity. Provide examples when possible.

Common error

Differentiate between consensual flirtation and "sexual harassment". Harassment involves unwelcome advances, power imbalances, or creation of a hostile environment, while flirtation is mutual and welcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sexual harassment" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI's assessment is that this phrase is usable in written English. The examples on Ludwig confirm it is correct to refer to unwanted advances or behavior of a sexual nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "sexual harassment" is a correct and widely used noun phrase that refers to unwelcome sexual advances or behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a well-established term with a clear meaning. Found frequently in News & Media and Academia, the term maintains a neutral to formal register and is essential for discussing legal, ethical, and social issues related to workplace and educational environments. Remember to differentiate "sexual harassment" from consensual interactions and understand the legal implications to ensure respectful and compliant communication.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unwanted sexual advances

Focuses specifically on the advances themselves being unwelcome.

unwelcome sexual attention

Highlights the 'attention' aspect and how its unwelcome nature creates harm

inappropriate sexual behavior

A broader term that may encompass actions beyond direct advances.

offensive sexual conduct

Emphasizes the offensive nature of the conduct.

workplace sexual misconduct

Specifically highlights the context of the workplace and implies a violation of expected conduct.

sex-based harassment

Highlights that the harassment is because of the target's sex/gender.

More alternative expressions

sexual victimization

sexual stalking

sexual abuse

sexual assault

sexual molestation

sexual intimidation

sexual harass

sexual bullying

sexual disturbance

sexual victimisation

sexual based

sexual calls

sexual ill treatment

sexual disturbances

sexual fidelity

sexual consciousness

sexual anxiety

sexual connection

sexual relevance

sexual impurity

FAQs

How to use "sexual harassment" in a sentence?

You can use "sexual harassment" in a sentence like: "The company has a zero-tolerance policy for "sexual harassment" in the workplace".

What can I say instead of "sexual harassment"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "unwanted sexual advances", "inappropriate sexual behavior", or "gender-based harassment".

What's the difference between "sexual harassment" and "sexual assault"?

"Sexual harassment" involves unwelcome sexual advances or creating a hostile environment, while "sexual assault" involves non-consensual sexual acts, often involving physical force or threat.

Which laws protect against "sexual harassment"?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in the United States protects against "sexual harassment" in the workplace. Other countries have similar laws prohibiting "sexual discrimination" and harassment.