as in persecution
Related Words
Relevance
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 molestation
The Archdiocese of Chicago has fired a substitute teacher with a long history of child molestation allegations in Illinois and other states.
—
Tara Molina, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
In a notable twist, Geragos previously represented Jackson when the pop star was under criminal investigation for child molestation in 2003.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2026
He was charged with two counts of child molestation and two counts of enticing a child for indecent purposes, according to court records.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Rylee Conner Willis, 21, of Stone Mountain, was charged with two counts each of child molestation and enticing a child for indecent purposes, Gwinnett police said.
—Alexis Stevens, AJC.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Feldman’s lawyers responded that the mention of molestation was not physical, but rather referred to Haim’s advances towards him.
—William Earl, Variety, 30 Dec. 2025
State officials closed the day care on May 8, 2025, after one of its employees, Gabriel Garner, was arrested on accusations of child molestation.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 23 Dec. 2025
Many have criminal histories that include homicide, assault, rape, drug trafficking, child molestation, cruelty toward a child, battery, and armed robbery, among other crimes, a DHS news release states.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 8 Dec. 2025
In 2003, the singer was arrested and charged with child molestation.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
Tara Molina, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
In a notable twist, Geragos previously represented Jackson when the pop star was under criminal investigation for child molestation in 2003.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2026
He was charged with two counts of child molestation and two counts of enticing a child for indecent purposes, according to court records.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
Rylee Conner Willis, 21, of Stone Mountain, was charged with two counts each of child molestation and enticing a child for indecent purposes, Gwinnett police said.
—Alexis Stevens, AJC.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Feldman’s lawyers responded that the mention of molestation was not physical, but rather referred to Haim’s advances towards him.
—William Earl, Variety, 30 Dec. 2025
State officials closed the day care on May 8, 2025, after one of its employees, Gabriel Garner, was arrested on accusations of child molestation.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 23 Dec. 2025
Many have criminal histories that include homicide, assault, rape, drug trafficking, child molestation, cruelty toward a child, battery, and armed robbery, among other crimes, a DHS news release states.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 8 Dec. 2025
In 2003, the singer was arrested and charged with child molestation.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for molestation
Noun
-
Pope Leo marked Holocaust Remembrance Day with a forceful plea for a world free of antisemitism, prejudice, and persecution.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The ship set sail carrying Jewish refugees seeking safety in Cuba from Nazi persecution.—
Mary Damiano,
Miami Herald,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Their parents, David and Louise Turpin, pleaded guilty to 14 charges, including torture and false imprisonment, and in 2019 were sentenced to 25 years to life.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Rodríguez also announced the shutdown of Helicoide, a prison in Caracas where torture and other human rights abuses have been repeatedly documented by independent organizations.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Many of his victims said that their relationships with family members, employers and partners were irreparably harmed as a result of Hardy's hacking and harassment, which often included sending nude photos of his victims to people in their personal networks.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
-
In September 2021, the Spirit fired head coach Richie Burke following allegations of emotional and verbal harassment.—
Emily Olsen,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But for the rest of the neighborhood, the dangerous choke point was one provocation too many.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
3 Feb. 2026
-
At the time of its publication in 1889, this hyperbolic lament for a fictional character—Lucien being the hero of Honoré de Balzac’s Lost Illusions (1837-43)—must have seemed an elegant provocation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Anshul Chhatrapati says each time Singh is released, his family feels a fresh wave of torment.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
As a poet, publisher, and public intellectual, Ferlinghetti spent the rest of his career resisting the very torments Judge Horn said haunted the post-war world.—
Gioia Woods,
Literary Hub,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Molestation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/molestation. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
