Library / English Dictionary

MOLEST

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Annoy continually or chronically

Example:

This man harasses his female co-workers

Synonyms:

beset; chevvy; chevy; chivvy; chivy; harass; harry; hassle; molest; plague; provoke

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Hypernyms (to "molest" is one way to...):

annoy; bother; chafe; devil; get at; get to; gravel; irritate; nark; nettle; rag; rile; vex (cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "molest"):

goad; needle (annoy or provoke, as by constant criticism)

bedevil; crucify; dun; frustrate; rag; torment (treat cruelly)

haze (harass by imposing humiliating or painful tasks, as in military institutions)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Sentence example:

Sam cannot molest Sue

Derivation:

molestation (the act of tormenting by continued persistent attacks and criticism)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Harass or assault sexually; make indecent advances to

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "molest" is one way to...):

assail; assault; attack; set on (attack someone physically or emotionally)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

molestation (the act of subjecting someone to unwanted or improper sexual advances or activity (especially women or children))

Credits

 Context examples: 

The ruffian Woodley was a very different person, but, except on one occasion, he had not molested our client, and now he visited the house of Carruthers without intruding upon her presence.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)