What is an act characterized by causing intentional, unwanted physical contact with another person?

The act characterized by intentional, unwanted physical contact with another person is assault. In legal terms, assault typically involves engaging in behavior that causes another person to apprehend harmful or offensive contact. When the unwanted physical contact occurs, it constitutes a form of assault, reflecting the intent behind the action and the impact on the victim.

In this context, assault emphasizes the deliberate nature of the act. Unlike robbery, which involves taking property from someone using force or intimidation, or burglary, which pertains to entering a building unlawfully with the intent to commit a crime, assault is specifically focused on the harm caused to an individual through physical interaction.

Larceny, on the other hand, is a crime involving the unlawful taking of someone else's property with the intent to permanently deprive them of it. Therefore, in the framework of this question, assault best captures the act of causing intentional, unwanted physical contact.