MOLEST Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

molest

verb

Definition of molest

as in to mistreat

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of molest According to prosecutors, one of the USB flash drives contained a diary where Williams admitted to molesting a child starting when the boy was 7 years old. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 17 June 2026 Gavin, who was 15 at the time, testified that the singer gave him alcohol and molested him twice at Neverland Ranch, the Australian outlet ABC reported. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026 According to the National Park Service, a pet running at large and molesting wildlife may be put down if necessary for public safety or wildlife protection. — Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026 From that one girl’s story, police learned that Epstein had been molesting dozens of girls from a West Palm Beach high school. — Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for molest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for molest

Verb

Dustin Degenhardt, a voter in the town of Wainwright, said that Albertans have long been mistreated by Canada’s federal government.

— Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Dustin Degenhardt, a voter in the town of Wainwright, said that Albertans have long been mistreated by Canada's federal government.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of mistreat

Verb

Meta has long been criticized for its data privacy practices, and on Wednesday, a New Mexico judge ordered the company to pay $25 billion for violating the state’s consumer protection laws.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
The company had previously said a penalty in the billions of dollars risked violating its constitutional rights to due process and protection from excessive fines.

— Reuters, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of violate

Verb

From harassing Brady over his divorce from Gisele Bündchen on social media to trying to be a rapper and much more, Brown’s post-football life has been one filled with public outbursts and controversial statements and stunts.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Yet against Texas, the Gators stopped the Longhorns twice on fourth down, repeatedly harassed Manning and held the Texas offense under 300 total yards.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of harass

Verb

He got stuffed by double-team blocks and turned away by larger Toronto wings, who manhandled the slighter forward in his attempts to create downhill momentum.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
The Dallas Cowboys were manhandled by the Green Bay Packers 23-13 on Sunday night to drop to 2-4 this season.

— Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of manhandle

Verb

But critics have warned the gloves will give ICE another weapon to intimidate and brutalize people even as the agency is under fire for excessive force that has left a trail of deaths and injuries across the nation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Allegations of abuse, inmates being brutalized by jailers, and dire conditions have plagued the facility for years, leading some county leaders, former sheriffs and civil rights advocates to call for the jail to be closed.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of brutalize

Verb

At least one person died and more than a dozen were injured in a major Ukrainian drone strike yesterday on Saint Petersburg, Russia's former imperial capital.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026
Continue reading … NATION IN MOURNING — Canadian service members killed, 19 critically injured after fire rips through base.

— , FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of injure

Verb

As recess is one of the most active places for bullying to take place, Rhea wanted to counteract that trend.

— Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026
Washington should project vision and leadership to its friends, not jarring uncertainty and bullying transactionalism.

— Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of bully

Browse Nearby Words

moles

molest

molestation

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“Molest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/molest. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of molest

verb

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