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Voyeurism - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Voyeurism is the act of gaining pleasure from secretly watching others, especially in private moments. It often involves an invasion of privacy and is considered unethical or illegal.

voyeurism

/vɔɪˈjʊrɪzəm/ /vwɑːˈjɜːrɪzəm/

Definition:

The practice of gaining pleasure from secretly observing others, often in intimate situations.

Synonyms:

Peeping, eavesdropping, snooping, spying

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

Privacy, discretion

Common Collocations:

Voyeurism tendencies, digital voyeurism, sexual voyeurism, voyeurism disorder

Derivatives:

Voyeur, voyeuristic, voyeuristically

Usage Tips:

Use "voyeurism" to describe secretive observation for pleasure, often with a negative connotation.

Common Phrases:

Peeping Tom, window peeper, secret observer

Etymology:

From French "voyeur," meaning "one who looks," derived from "voir" (to see).

Examples:

  • 1. The film explores themes of voyeurism and privacy invasion.
  • 2. His voyeurism made his neighbors uncomfortable and led to legal trouble.
  • 3. She accused the paparazzi of exploiting celebrity lives through voyeurism.
  • 4. Voyeurism is considered unethical and often illegal in many societies.
  • 5. The novel delves into the psychology behind digital voyeurism online.

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