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 In a New York Times investigative report, several survivors allege Chavez, who died in 1993, abused and molested multiple women and young girls over decades, including the co-founder of the United Farm Workers Union, Dolores Huerta. — Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026 His arrest comes several years after his older brother, Josh Duggar, was accused of molesting five underage girls, including four of his sisters. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026 Murguia said Chavez used the privacy of his California office to repeatedly molest her after gaining her family’s trust. — Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Mar. 2026 In their investigation, detectives spoke to a 6-year-old girl who was a friend of Christy who said the Rambo brothers had molested her and that Christy had been at the brothers’ home with her in the past. — Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for molest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for molest

Verb

After reporting Lopez missing last September, Lopez’s daughter told a detective that Yepez had been mistreating her mother at work, the police report said.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
By 1790, half of the world's coffee was being grown in the French colony of Saint-Domingue, in what is today Haiti, Pendergrast says, where slaves were routinely mistreated, raped and murdered.

— James Doubek, NPR, 3 July 2026

Definition of mistreat

Verb

The deal could close as soon as July 22, though several states, including Oregon and California, are investigating whether the $111 billion transaction violates their antitrust laws.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 11 July 2026
In an 80-page ruling obtained by Rolling Stone, the Puerto Rico Supreme Court found that Carliz De La Cruz Hernández can move forward with her claim that the recording’s use violated her right to protect her identity from commercial exploitation.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2026

Definition of violate

Verb

While his family stayed behind in the US, Jin returned to China as authorities continued to harass church members.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Naval liaison groups have yet to comment on the abrupt U-turns, although the Joint Maritime Intelligence Center repeated on Sunday that Iranian forces continue to harass shipping.

— Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026

Definition of harass

Verb

During this stretch, the Colts will face three AFC opponents, including the Steelers, who manhandled them last year and forced Jones to commit a career-high five turnovers in a loss.

— James Boyd, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Those ramped up after Ottawa was completely manhandled by the Canes, and never held the lead at any point in the series.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026

Definition of manhandle

Verb

Described as a biting political thriller in the tradition of Wild in the Streets and V for Vendetta, The Hunted is set in a dystopian America where trans people are brutalized and erased to the margins of society.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 June 2026
Family Photo The family had fled the Congo after Carine, an activist, was brutalized for speaking out against the ruling regime.

— Jim Axelrod, CBS News, 31 May 2026

Definition of brutalize

Verb

On Sunday, Russia bombarded Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv with dozens of missiles and hundreds of strike drones, killing at least 11 and injuring scores more, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and media reports.

— Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 7 July 2026
The shootings, which also injured four people, occurred at two Fourth of July block parties about two miles apart, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of injure

Verb

Likewise, bullying commands are unlikely to resonate in a party not trained to follow a strongman.

— Michelle Cottle, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Bang-geul was bullied by her older half-siblings, who looked down on their younger sister because of her mom’s former status as a domestic employee.

— Kayti Burt, Time, 6 July 2026

Definition of bully

Browse Nearby Words

moles

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molestation

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“Molest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/molest. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of molest

verb

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