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Assault vs Molest - What's the difference?

assault | molest |

As verbs the difference between assault and molest

is that assault is to attack, threaten or harass while molest is to annoy intentionally.

As a noun assault

is a violent onset or attack with physical means, as blows, weapons, etc.; an onslaught; the rush or charge of an attacking force; onset; as, to make assault upon a man, a house, or a town.

assault

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A violent onset or attack with physical means, as blows, weapons, etc.; an onslaught; the rush or charge of an attacking force; onset; as, to make assault upon a man, a house, or a town.
  • * Prescott
  • The Spanish general prepared to renew the assault .
  • * Shakespeare
  • Unshaken bears the assault / Of their most dreaded foe, the strong southwest.
  • A violent onset or attack with moral weapons, as words, arguments, appeals, and the like; as, to make an assault on the prerogatives of a prince, or on the constitution of a government.
  • (criminal, legal) An attempt to commit battery: a violent attempt, or willful effort with force or violence, to do hurt to another, but without necessarily touching his person, as by lifting a fist in a threatening manner, or by striking at him and missing him.
  • (singulare tantum, legal) The crime whose action is such an attempt.
  • An act that causes someone to apprehend imminent bodily harm.
  • (singulare tantum, legal) The tort whose action is such an act.
  • (fencing) A non-competitive combat between two fencers.
  • Synonyms

    *

    Derived terms

    * antiassault * assault and battery * nonassault * reassault

    Coordinate terms

    * battery

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To attack, threaten or harass.
  • molest

    English

    (Child sexual abuse)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To annoy intentionally
  • To disturb or tamper with.
  • * Hooker
  • They have molested the church with needless opposition.
  • To sexually abuse, especially a minor
  • The woman who molested the child she was babysitting has been arrested.

    Derived terms

    * molester * molestful

    Anagrams

    *