molested; molesting; molests
1
: to make unwanted or improper sexual advances towards (someone)
especially
: to force physical and usually sexual contact on (someone)
He was sent to prison for molesting children.
2
somewhat old-fashioned
: to annoy, disturb, or persecute (a person or animal) especially with hostile intent or injurious effect
Who doth molest my contemplation?—
Shakespeare
ShakespeareBees flew past him, bees flew into him, bees settled upon his coat, bees paused questioningly in front of him … but not a single bee molested him.—P. G. Wodehouse
P. G. WodehouseAt a hearing last week, activists persuaded the commission that the porcupines were being chased, molested and "worried" for human amusement.—Kelli Anderson
Kelli AndersonExamples of molest in a Sentence
He was sent to jail for molesting children.
It was illegal to molest, capture, or kill any of the animals in the park.
Recent Examples on the Web
Earlier testimonies revealed that Allen confessed to molesting his half-sister and touching his daughter.
—Ron Wilkins, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Nov. 2024
Nearly a decade later, he was arrested for molesting children and sentenced to four years at the Atascadero State Hospital.
—Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024
During their conversation, David recounted that Allen was crying and confessed to drugging him and molesting his sister, Connie.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Kathy Cady, who is representing Milton Andersen, Kitty Menendez's, said in an interview that her client does not believe his nephews were molested and that they were motivated by greed.
—Liz Kreutz, NBC News, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for molest 
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Ron Wilkins, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Nov. 2024
Nearly a decade later, he was arrested for molesting children and sentenced to four years at the Atascadero State Hospital.
—Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024
During their conversation, David recounted that Allen was crying and confessed to drugging him and molesting his sister, Connie.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
Kathy Cady, who is representing Milton Andersen, Kitty Menendez's, said in an interview that her client does not believe his nephews were molested and that they were motivated by greed.
—Liz Kreutz, NBC News, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for molest
Dictionary Entries Near molest
Cite this Entry
“Molest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/molest. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
molest
transitive verb
mo·lest
mə-ˈlest 
1
: to annoy, disturb, or persecute especially with hostile intent or injurious effect
2
: to make annoying sexual advances to
specifically
: to force physical and usually sexual contact on (as a child)
molester
noun
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