molestation
Americannoun
-
touching a nonconsenting person, especially a child, in a sexual manner.
He was arrested on charges of lewd and lascivious molestation and child abuse.
-
an act or instance of interference with or violence against someone.
Under the terms of the citadel’s surrender, the Persians were allowed to pass without molestation through the midst of the Roman army.
Etymology
Origin of molestation
First recorded in 1600–10; molest ( def. ) + -ation ( def. )
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.
Steinsapir, who emphasized that the alleged molestations took place in Jackson’s home, not in workplaces, replied, “Could my law firm tell me who I’m allowed to be with in my own home?”
From Washington Times
Supreme Court reversed the state child molestation convictions of McGirt because he is Native American and the crime occurred on a tribal reservation that was never disestablished by Congress.
From Seattle Times
"Women start imposing restrictions on themselves and it denies us equal citizenship with men. It has a much deeper impact on women's life than the actual act of molestation."
From BBC
A high school safety officer in Santa Ana was arrested this week on suspicion of child molestation, police said in a statement.
From Los Angeles Times
Rep. Tim Bonner, a Republican from Mercer and a former prosecutor who handled child molestation cases, said making the legislation retroactive was the right thing to do.
From Seattle Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
