Molestation Meaning in English

word

US

UK

Definition

Molestation is the act of touching, harming, or annoying someone in a sexual or inappropriate way, especially involving children. It can also refer more broadly to harassment or harmful interference.

Usage & Nuances

"Molestation" is a formal and legal word, primarily referencing sexual abuse (especially of children), but can sometimes mean persistent harassment in legal contexts. It is rarely used in casual speech. Do not confuse with the verb "molest," which is also formal and serious. In English, "molest" never just means "bother" or "annoy."

• Spanish: abuso sexual - acoso - molestia (legal)
• Portuguese (BR): abuso sexual - assédio - molestamento
• Portuguese (PT): abuso sexual - assédio - molestação
• Chinese (Simplified): 性骚扰 - 性侵害
• Chinese (Traditional): 性騷擾 - 性侵害
• Hindi: छेड़छाड़ (यौन) - उत्पीड़न
• Arabic: تحرش جنسي - اعتداء جنسي
• Bengali: যৌন নির্যাতন - উত্যক্তকরণ
• Russian: домогательство - сексуальное насилие
• Japanese: 性的虐待 - いやがらせ
• Vietnamese: quấy rối tình dục - xâm hại tình dục
• Korean: 성추행 - 괴롭힘
• Turkish: cinsel taciz - rahatsız etme
• Urdu: جنسی زیادتی - ہراسانی
• Indonesian: pelecehan seksual - pencabulan

Example Sentences

The school has policies to prevent molestation of students.

basic

Victims of molestation need support and protection.

basic

Molestation is a serious crime.

basic

There was a public campaign to raise awareness about molestation.

natural

Stories of molestation are sadly all too common in the news.

natural

She spoke out bravely about her experience with molestation as a child.

natural