molest

[muh-lest]

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verb (used with object)

to bother, interfere with, or annoy.

to make indecent sexual advances to.

to assault sexually.

Origin of molest

1325–75; Middle English molesten < Latin molestāre to irk, derivative of molestus irksome; compare mōlēs mass, burden, trouble

Related formsmo·les·ta·tion

[moh-le-stey-shuhn, mol-e-] /ˌmoʊ lɛˈsteɪ ʃən, ˌmɒl ɛ-/, nounmo·lest·er, nounmo·lest·ful, adjectiveun·mo·lest·ed, adjectiveun·mo·lest·ing, adjective

Synonyms for molest

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1. harass, harry, trouble, plague, hector, torment. See attack.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for molest

fondle, accost, maltreat, rape, injure, tease, frighten, harass, abuse, torment, persecute, scare, terrify, hinder, disturb, intrude, disorganize, displace, hurt, attack

Examples from the Web for molest

Historical Examples of molest

Of such as wandering near her secret bower, Molest her ancient solitary reign.
St. Nicholas Magazine for Boys and Girls, Vol. 5, January 1878, No. 3
Various

British Dictionary definitions for molest

molest

verb (tr)

to disturb or annoy by malevolent interference

to accost or attack, esp with the intention of assaulting sexually

Derived Formsmolestation (ˌməʊlɛˈsteɪʃən), nounmolester, noun

Word Origin for molest

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for molest

late 14c., "to cause trouble, grief, or vexation," from Old French molester "to torment, trouble, bother" (12c.) and directly from Latin molestare "to disturb, trouble, annoy," from molestus "troublesome, annoying, unmanageable," perhaps related to moles "mass" (see mole (n.3)) on notion of either "burden" or "barrier." Meaning "sexually assault" first attested 1950. Related: Molested; molesting.