molest
Americanverb
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to disturb or annoy by malevolent interference
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to accost or attack, esp with the intention of assaulting sexually
Synonym Usage
See attack.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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molestsimple
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molestssimple
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have molestedperfect
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has molestedperfect
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am molestingprogressive
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are molestingprogressive
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is molestingprogressive
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have been molestingperfect progressive
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has been molestingperfect progressive
Past
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molestedsimple
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had molestedperfect
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was molestingprogressive
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were molestingprogressive
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had been molestingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of molest
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English molesten, from Latin molestāre “to irk,” derivative of molestus “irksome”; compare mōlēs “mass, burden, trouble”
Explanation
To molest someone is to annoy or attack them. Although the word was first used to mean "pester," now it is more typically used to refer to criminal abuse. The verb molest can be used to talk about any kind of persistent harassment, but it most commonly describes an unwanted or aggressive sexual attack. To molest someone in this in way is a very serious criminal assault. The word originally meant simply "to cause trouble or grief," and it comes from the Latin word molestare, "to disturb, trouble, or annoy." It wasn't used to mean "attack sexually" until about 1950.
Vocabulary lists containing molest
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The city is a bird sanctuary and its code says it is illegal to hunt, wound, molest, injure or kill any bird within its limits.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 10, 2021
The Emporia Gazette reports defense attorney Christopher Joseph said Hawkins was sloppy and should have better explained his procedures to the women but he didn’t molest them.
From Washington Times ● Aug. 23, 2019
Around 1993, James and Wade told the authorities that Jackson didn’t molest them; and Wade testified in court on Jackson’s behalf in 2005.
From New York Times ● Feb. 28, 2019
Evanier makes a strong case that Allen didn’t molest his daughter — he was never prosecuted — but also undermines it somewhat by approaching the topic with an obvious bias against Mia Farrow.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 11, 2015
The strike was to be orderly and peaceful: signs posted in five languages reminded strikers to “Obey the union’s rules to molest no person or property, and abide strictly by the laws of the country.”
From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield
It is my observation and belief that a grizzly, if physically able, will attack any living thing that molests it or interferes with its routine activities.
From Time Magazine Archive
How lightly he regarded hardship and molestation appears from his verses— Whatever molests or troubles life, When past, as nothing we esteem, And pain, like pleasure, is a dream.
From The Story of the Hymns and Tunes by Theron Brown
The fact is, these animals feel perfectly secure, for, with the p. 169exception of a few Mongols who follow the chase, nobody ever molests them.
From Travels in Tartary, Thibet, and China During the years 1844-5-6. Volume 1 [of 2] by Evariste Regis Huc
The infernal hurricane that never rests carries along the spirits with its rapine; whirling and smiting it molests them.
From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 11 by Hamilton Wright Mabie
No man molests any woman here on any occasion.
From The Eyes of Asia by Rudyard Kipling
“I have other people in the office that believe they probably were molested and that they deserve to have some relief.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2024
The four-time Oscar-winning director of "Annie Hall" and other comedies has repeatedly denied the accusation that he molested his adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow, in 1992.
From Reuters ● Jun. 28, 2022
Jackson, who died in 2009, was found not guilty in 2005 of charges alleging he had molested a boy.
From Washington Times ● Mar. 20, 2019
Jackson’s family and estate denounced the film, pointing out that both men previously told authorities that Jackson had not molested them before saying otherwise in 2013 lawsuits.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 30, 2019
"Bronn, take as many men as you need and see that the water wagons are not molested."
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
Considering the sexual abuse scandals within the Catholic church and the Southern Baptists, I find it strange that so many Christians are concerned about Freemasons and Shriners and "the Illuminati" molesting their children.
From Salon ● Aug. 13, 2023
Last year, the “Usual Suspects” and “House of Cards” star was found not liable in New York of molesting actor Anthony Rapp in 1986 when Rapp was 14 and Spacey was 26.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2023
Michael Jackson was eventually acquitted on four counts of molesting a minor.
From Fox News ● Jan. 3, 2022
His testimony helped to acquit the King of Pop of molesting Gavin Arvizo, a child cancer survivor.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 10, 2019
“That is none of your business, you waif. Why aren’t you in school? Kindly stop molesting me. Anyway, I have no change.”
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
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