sex work
noun
: the act or practice of engaging in sex acts and especially sexual intercourse in exchange for pay
Usage of Prostitute
The terms sex worker and sex work are now preferred to prostitute and prostitution, which are increasingly rejected as offensive. Additionally, prostitute and prostitution are avoided in contexts relating to victimization especially of children because the words there are seen as an egregious mischaracterization of exploitation.
Cite this Entry
“Sex work.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sex%20work. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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