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

Farrow’s program bio conspicuously doesn’t mention her work with Woody Allen, her former partner with whom she was involved in a very public dispute over allegations that the filmmaker had molested their adopted daughter, Dylan.

From Los Angeles Times

George Gascón announced he recommends they be resentenced after new evidence that they had been molested by their father came to light, which could make them eligible for parole.

From Los Angeles Times

Bryan Rogers, a social studies teacher at the school since 2012, was accused of annoying or molesting a minor, though it was not clear if the victim was a student, according to KOVR-TV in Stockton.

From Los Angeles Times

“We have people in the office that strongly believe the Menendez brothers should stay in prison the rest of their lives and don’t believe they were molested,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

The Los Angeles Police Department also recently investigated another incident from 1975, in which the famed director was accused of molesting a girl.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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