molest

Verb

molest (third-person singular simple present molests, present participle molesting, simple past and past participle molested)

1. To sexually assault or sexually harass.
   • I knew you wasn't normal ever since the age of nine / I, heard you were molested when you hit the age of five / So, in a sense I sensed that all your innocence had died / You, swallowing all of your pride, won't, let anybody inside / As you cry me a thousand lakes on my shoulder blade, I say /...2018, “Taboo”, in Ta13oo (hip-hop), performed by Denzel Curry, United States
   • At last he simmered down, choked out his explanations. And the news was indeed enormous. That afternoon, just three hours earlier, his younger sister, Gina, had been molested, debauched, as she crossed a children's playground in the park.1976 June 7, Nik Cohn, “Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night”, in New York, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 29 Dec 2022

   Synonyms:

   come on to, diddle[black humor|humorous]]>, touch

2. (dated) To annoy, trouble, or afflict.
   • They have molested the church with needless opposition.[1594], Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], London: […] Iohn Windet, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page)
   • It was a true sanctuary. Once inside, the Faces were unreachable. Nothing could molest them. They were no longer the oppressed, wretched teen menials who must take orders, toe the line. Here they took command, they reigned.1976 June 7, Nik Cohn, “Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night”, in New York, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 29 Dec 2022

   Synonyms:

   bother, disturb, aggravate, annoy, nettle, rankle, ruffle, sting, burn someone's ass, antagonize

3. (dated) To disturb or tamper with.

   Synonyms:

   dabble in, interfere with, meddle with