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
According to the affidavit, the victim in the case, who was not identified, told police that Sorrells molested him many times, including once inside of her car after a football game.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 14 May 2025
An investigation was launched, however, after the victim's mother contacted law enforcement, and eventually the victim told both his mother and members of the Heath Department of Public Safety that Sorrells had been molesting him for more than a year.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 13 May 2025
On April 28, Palacios surrendered at the police department and was booked into Santa Clara County jail on charges related to annoying or molesting a child under the age of 18.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
For the second time in less than a month, Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy was molested by aggressive birds while on assignment.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for molest
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Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 14 May 2025
An investigation was launched, however, after the victim's mother contacted law enforcement, and eventually the victim told both his mother and members of the Heath Department of Public Safety that Sorrells had been molesting him for more than a year.
—Chris Spargo, People.com, 13 May 2025
On April 28, Palacios surrendered at the police department and was booked into Santa Clara County jail on charges related to annoying or molesting a child under the age of 18.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
For the second time in less than a month, Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy was molested by aggressive birds while on assignment.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for molest
Cite this Entry
“Molest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/molest. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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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