voyeuristic

voyeuristic — adjective

1. involving a desire to secretly watch other people in private settings — often in

1.形容詞C1
釋義

involving a desire to secretly watch other people in private settings — often in sexual or intimate situations — in order to feel enjoyment

例句

The documentary used hidden cameras in a voyeuristic style that made viewers feel uneasy.

collocation: voyeuristic style describing media technique

Yan found the reality show's voyeuristic focus on people's bedrooms deeply uncomfortable.

同義詞
  • surreptitious

    focuses on the secrecy of the act rather than the pleasure gained

  • invasive

    emphasises the violation of privacy, common in media criticism

  • prurient

    stronger sexual connotation; more formal and literary

反義詞
  • respectful

    showing proper regard for others' privacy

  • open

    transparent rather than secretive in observation

文法句型

voyeuristic + noun (behaviour, style, content, pleasure)

用法筆記

Frequently used to criticise filmmaking, photography, or social media practices that treat people as objects to be watched without their knowledge or consent.

常見錯誤

❌The film was voyeuristic because it had sex scenes.
✅The film was voyeuristic because the camera lingered on actors who did not know they were being filmed.
💡'voyeuristic' is about the act of secret watching itself, not about sexual content alone.
❌He is voyeuristic at parties.
✅He has a voyeuristic habit of watching other guests from behind a curtain.
💡The word is not used for casual looking; it implies deliberate, secret observation for personal pleasure.

2. relating to the habit of finding satisfaction by observing the difficulties or p

2.形容詞C1
釋義

relating to the habit of finding satisfaction by observing the difficulties or personal situations of other people, often through the media

例句

Blogs about celebrity divorces can stir a voyeuristic curiosity about the lives of the rich.

collocation: voyeuristic curiosity about [topic]

Salma felt a voyeuristic thrill watching the neighbours argue through her kitchen window.

同義詞
  • nosy

    less formal; implies prying into matters that do not concern you

  • intrusive

    focuses on the unwanted invasion of privacy rather than the pleasure taken

  • morbid

    specifically about finding pleasure in death, tragedy, or disaster

反義詞

文法句型

voyeuristic + noun (curiosity, interest, thrill, treatment, desire)

用法筆記

More common in everyday language than sense 1. Often used to describe media coverage that turns personal misfortune into entertainment. Subject is typically a TV show, article, blog, or social media platform rather than a person.

常見錯誤

❌I am voyeuristic about my neighbours.
✅I feel a voyeuristic curiosity about what happens next door.
💡The adjective typically modifies a noun (curiosity, interest, thrill) rather than describing the person directly.