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 a minor.
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
Bees 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
At a hearing last week, activists persuaded the commission that the porcupines were being chased, molested and "worried" for human amusement.—Kelli Anderson
mo·les·ta·tion
ˌmōˌleˈstāshən
-ˌləˈ-
plural -s
1
a
archaic
: a cause or state of harassment : vexation
all the molestations of marriage are abundantly recompensed with other comforts—Thomas Fuller
b
: an act or instance of molesting : annoyance, obstruction
liberty to … worship without molestation—William Sewel
seas upon which our ships and planes can travel without molestation—U.S. Code
2
a
Scots law
: interference with or troubling another in his possession of land
b
: willful injury inflicted upon another by interference with his user of rights as to person, character, social position, or property
Cite this Entry
“Molest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/molest. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.
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