molest

/məˈlest/ (bre, ipa) · /məˈlest/ (ame, ipa) · /mə-ˈlest/ (ame, mw)

molest — verb

  • molestpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • molestshe / she / it
  • molestedpast simple
  • molesting-ing form

1. to subject someone to unwanted sexual touching or sexual force without their con

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to subject someone to unwanted sexual touching or sexual force without their consent

例句

The coach was arrested for molesting two boys after practice.

passive: be arrested for molesting [person]

On the late bus, Rania reported the man who molested her.

同義詞
  • abuse

    broader and can include emotional or repeated harm, not only sexual acts

  • assault

    broader and often stresses the attack itself rather than the sexual touching

  • grope

    narrower and usually focuses on sexual touching with the hands

文法句型

molest + person

be accused of molesting + person

用法筆記

Common in legal reports and news stories. The object is the victim, and the verb strongly implies lack of consent.

常見錯誤

❌He molested his wife by kissing her goodbye.
✅He kissed his wife goodbye.
💡'molest' is only used for unwanted sexual contact, not normal affectionate touch.
❌The article said he molested to a child.
✅The article said he molested a child.
💡'molest' takes a direct object without 'to'.

2. to handle or attack someone with rough physical force, such as grabbing, shoving

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to handle or attack someone with rough physical force, such as grabbing, shoving, or hitting

例句

The guard warned the crowd not to molest the prisoner.

formal warning: molest + person

Security cameras showed fans molesting the referee after the match.

同義詞
  • assault

    the usual modern verb for a physical attack

  • attack

    broader and less formal, without the old-fashioned legal tone

  • rough up

    informal and suggests repeated hitting or shoving

文法句型

molest + person

be molested by + attacker

用法筆記

Now uncommon and strongly formal. It appears mainly in reports of rough handling or physical assault rather than everyday conversation.

常見錯誤

❌The children molested me with questions.
✅The children bothered me with questions.
💡this sense is about physical attack, not general annoyance.
❌The storm molested the roof all night.
✅The storm damaged the roof all night.
💡this sense is used for rough treatment of a person, not damage to things.