Cool MateAssault vs Rape vs Sexual assault
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Assault
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Rape
FormalTop 5,000 (fairly common)C1noun
Sexual assault
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Assault
| Assault | Rape | Sexual assault | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈsɔːlt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈsɔːlt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/reɪp/"]/🇺🇸 /["/reɪp/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈsɛkʃuəl əˈsɔːlt//🇺🇸 //ˈsɛkʃuəl əˈsɔlt// |
| Meaning | A violent attack on someone. | To force someone to have sex against their will. | A crime involving unwanted sexual contact or actions. |
| Example | The criminal was charged with assault after the altercation in the bar. | He was charged with rape. | The victim reported the sexual assault to the police. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | noun | |
| Collocations | brutal, ferocious, savage, series, wave, carry out, commit, be the victim of, happen, occur, take place, assault against, assault on, assault upon, allegations of assault, assault and battery, all-out, direct, frontal, series, begin, carry out, conduct, course, operation, gun, under assault, assault on, all-out, direct, frontal, series, begin, carry out, conduct, course, operation, gun, under assault, assault on | alleged, attempted, marital, victim, suspect, accusation | report sexual assault, prevent sexual assault, survivor of sexual assault, sexual assault awareness, victim of sexual assault |
| Antonyms | peace, defense, protection | consent, agreement | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'assaulted' vs 'assaulting' when conjugating., Using 'assault' as a noun instead of a verb., Mixing up the meaning with 'assault weapon' which refers specifically to a type of gun. | Confused with 'rap' as in music genre., Using inappropriately in jokes or casual talks., Misunderstanding the seriousness of the term. | Confused with 'harassment' - not all harassment is assault., Using vague terms instead of precise legal definitions., Not acknowledging consent issues. |
| Usage notes | Typically used in legal contexts or discussions about violence. It can refer to both physical and verbal attacks. Avoid in casual conversations; use 'hit' or 'attack' instead. | This word is very serious and should only be used in legal or professional contexts. It's not appropriate for casual conversation. Be cautious and sensitive when discussing this topic. | Used in legal contexts and discussions about safety. Avoid casual language when discussing this serious topic. |
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Frequently asked questions: Assault vs Rape vs Sexual assault
What's the difference between Assault, Rape, and Sexual assault?
Assault: A violent attack on someone. Rape: To force someone to have sex against their will. Sexual assault: A crime involving unwanted sexual contact or actions.
Which is more common: Assault, Rape, and Sexual assault?
Assault is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Assault: The criminal was charged with assault after the altercation in the bar. Rape: He was charged with rape. Sexual assault: The victim reported the sexual assault to the police.
Can I use Assault, Rape, and Sexual assault interchangeably?
Not always. Assault, Rape, and Sexual assault are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.