molest

[ muh-lest ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make indecent sexual advances to.
2. to assault sexually.
3. Older Use. to bother, interfere with, or annoy.

   Synonyms: torment, hector, plague, trouble, harry, harass

molest

/ ˌməʊlɛˈsteɪʃən; məˈlɛst /

verb

1. to disturb or annoy by malevolent interference
2. to accost or attack, esp with the intention of assaulting sexually

Derived Forms

• molestation, noun
• moˈlester, noun

Other Words From

• mo·les·ta·tion [moh-le-, stey, -sh, uh, n, mol-e-], noun
• mo·lest·er noun
• mo·lest·ful adjective
• un·mo·lest·ed adjective
• un·mo·lest·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of molest¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English molesten, from Latin molestāre “to irk,” derivative of molestus “irksome”; compare mōlēs “mass, burden, trouble”

Word History and Origins

Origin of molest¹

C14: from Latin molestāre to annoy, from molestus troublesome, from mōlēs mass

Synonym Study

See attack.

Example Sentences

In March 2017, a former Coronado Middle School student reported to school officials that Burgess had molested him on the high school campus five years earlier, when he was 13.

From Voice of San Diego

The 63-year-old reportedly admitted to investigators that he had molested two underage relatives years earlier, though he was ultimately only charged with one count of criminal sexual contact with a minor.

From The Daily Beast

In 1986, when Palmer was 15, three of those boys accused him of molesting them.

From Washington Post

It was an example of an effective use of the technology that helped arrest someone suspected of molesting children.

From Voice of San Diego

Nigel ruined many a week for me and my Oregonian colleagues with his reporting, including with his 2005 story revealing that Neil Goldschmidt had molested a 14-year-old girl while serving as Portland’s mayor in the 1970s.

From ProPublica

Of such as wandering near her secret bower, Molest her ancient solitary reign.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abuse
• frighten
• harass
• persecute
• scare
• tease
• terrify
• torment