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

Derived Forms

• molestation, noun
• moˈlester, noun

Other Words From

• mo·les·ta·tion [moh-le-, stey, -sh, uh, n, mol-e-], noun
• mo·lest·er noun
• mo·lest·ful adjective
• un·mo·lest·ed adjective
• un·mo·lest·ing 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

However, authorities say, he went on to molest more children.

From Los Angeles Times

Tamara said that, in reality, "you would be alone in that office, and it would be his opportunity to grope you, molest you".

From BBC

Even during class, he came to her desk and had her sit on his lap and molest her in plain sight of her classmates in ways they knew she was being abused, she said in court documents.

From Los Angeles Times

They had agreed to give him massages while semi-nude or fully nude in exchange for money, but they said he would then molest them without their consent.

From Seattle Times

Any time I’ve had an urge to return to the Catholic Church, I remember why I stopped attending Mass in the first place: my disgust at the local bishops and monsignors who let Ramos molest with impunity.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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