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 200 children were believed to have been molested by the former city employee.

From Los Angeles Times

"I spent six months in prison, I was beaten, molested, left for dead. After all those trials, it's logical that people don't mess with me."

From BBC

Allen’s own daughter with Farrow, Dylan, would later accuse Allen of sexually molesting her, claims that he denies.

From Los Angeles Times

A former Bay Area city councilmember was sentenced to 18 years in prison Friday for molesting an underage family member more than two decades ago, prosecutors said.

From Los Angeles Times

Deputies said that once inside the vehicle, Cascante allegedly used a handgun to threaten the girl and proceeded to molest her as he drove around the city.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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