molestation

[ moh-le-stey-shuhn, mol-e- ]

noun

1. touching a nonconsenting person, especially a child, in a sexual manner: sexual abuse.

   He was arrested on charges of lewd and lascivious molestation and child abuse.

2. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of molestation¹

First recorded in 1600–10; molest ( def ) + -ation ( def )

Example Sentences

In 2023, another teacher at the school was arrested on child molestation charges.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2014, the Los Angeles Archdiocese settled what it believed would be the last of its pending priest molestation lawsuits and imposed a series of reforms.

From Los Angeles Times

Citing evidence related to molestation claims, attorneys for the brothers filed petitions last year to reopen the case, and family members have rallied to get the men released.

From Los Angeles Times

George Gascón says he will investigate new evidence related to the molestation claims.

From Los Angeles Times

But the brothers' defence lawyers said it was revenge for sexual abuse, although no molestation was ever proven in court.

From BBC

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