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

Other Word Forms

• molestation noun
• molester noun
• molestful adjective
• unmolested adjective
• unmolesting 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

More than a decade earlier, Epstein evaded federal criminal charges when he struck a plea deal in a south Florida case related to accusations that he molested dozens of girls.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In 2008, he reached a plea deal with prosecutors after the parents of a 14-year-old girl told police in Florida that Epstein had molested their daughter at his Palm Beach home.

Read more on BBC

One girl was molested by Valdez for seven years, starting when she was just 4 years old, prosecutors said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Kizzie Jones, 47, said she’s on antidepressants as a result of a female probation officer who allegedly molested her twice a week and groomed her with bags of chips and bottles of conditioner.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Keaton remained a supporter of Allen, a controversial figure, who was accused of molesting his daughter Dylan, which he has always denied.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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