4 syllables: Mo, le, sta, tion. Stress on sta.
moh-les-TAY-shuhn
/ˌmoʊlɛˈsteɪʃən/
Molestation is pronounced moh-les-TAY-shuhn (/ˌmoʊlɛˈsteɪʃən/). It has four syllables (Mo-le-sta-tion), with the stress on "sta". Molestation is the act or instance of subjecting someone to unwanted or improper sexual advances or contact. It can also refer to harassing behavior that violates personal boundaries. In legal contexts it denotes an offense, while in everyday usage it describes coercive, intrusive conduct that disrespects consent and safety.
nounMolestation is the act or instance of subjecting someone to unwanted or improper sexual advances or contact. It can also refer to harassing behavior that violates personal boundaries. In legal contexts it denotes an offense, while in everyday usage it describes coercive, intrusive conduct that disrespects consent and safety.
How to Pronounce Molestation
"The report alleged ongoing molestation in the workplace, prompting an internal investigation."
"Witnesses testified about years of molestation that finally came to light through the survivor's statements."
"The governor announced new protections after a state commission documented widespread molestation in schools."
Pronounce it mə-LOH-stay-shn̩ or mə-luh-STAY-shən, depending on accent. The primary stress is on the third syllable, close to -stei-, with a clear final schwa or syllabic n. IPA: US məˌloʊˈsteɪʃən, UK məˌləˈsteɪʃən, AU məˌləˈstāʃən. Mouth positions: start with a neutral schwa, then lift to a light L followed by long O or open-mid o, then the stressed “stay” sound, then a soft “shən” ending. Listening reference: try recording yourself and compare to a dictionary pronunciation to cue the stressed syllable.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (saying MO-le-sta-tion), conflating the middle -les- with a hard ‘lez-’ or slurring the -tion into -tion. Also, some speakers shorten the word to ‘molest’ or split it as ‘mole-station,’ which changes cadence. Correct by emphasizing the -stei- syllable: mə-LOH-stay-shən in US, with a distinct /ˈsteɪ/ and a clear /ʃən/ at the end. Practice by saying ‘molested’ clearly to anchor the root stress pattern and then reattach -ation.
In US English you’ll hear məˌloʊˈsteɪʃən with a clear rhotic r-colored vowel and a pronounced mid-to-long O. UK English often uses məˌləˈsteɪʃən with a non-rhotic r, slightly more clipped syllables, and a broader fronted /eɪ/ in -stay-. Australian tends to be similar to UK but with more relaxed vowel height and a slightly flatter intonation, keeping the /ɒ/ or /ə/ in the first syllable depending on speaker. Core is the stressed -STEI-; ensure the final -tion is realized as /ʃən/ in all three. IPA: US məˌloʊˈsteɪʃən, UK məˌləˈsteɪʃən, AU məˌləˈsteɪʃən.
Two main challenges: first, the -les- cluster can blur into -lez- in rapid speech; second, the -tion ending often reduces to a soft -shən, which can sound like -sion or -shion. The primary stress sits on the -STEI- syllable, which is easy to misplace in quick speech. Practice by isolating the three segments: /mə/ (unstressed), /ˈsteɪ/ (stressed), /ʃən/ (ending). Slow articulation helps keep each sound distinct and prevents mispronunciation.
Yes—emphasize the third syllable with a clean /ˈsteɪ/ and ensure the sequence /ləˈsteɪ/ is perceived before the final /ʃən/. The element -lation can be tricky because English often reduces unstressed vowels, so you must keep the middle syllable distinct as /leɪ/ or /ləˈsteɪ/. Also, avoid nasalizing the final /ən/ too much; keep it light and quick. This helps avoid misinterpretation as related terms like ‘molest’ or ‘molestation’ pronounced incorrectly.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Molestation"!
Molestation traces to Middle French molestation, from Old French molestacion, from mesler, molest; the Latin mulesta (misery, trouble) and molestus (disturbing, troublesome) contributed semantics. In English by the 14th–15th centuries, molestation broadly meant harassment or interference, evolving toward its current strong sexual connotation in the late 19th and 20th centuries as legal and clinical vocabularies refined terms for sexual misconduct. The word’s core root implies troubling or annoying interference; the sexual sense intensified with social and legal reforms that formalized definitions of assault and inappropriate contact. First known uses appear in legal or ecclesiastical contexts discussing trespass or harm, with secular adoption accelerating during modern criminal law codifications that distinguish assault, harassment, and molestation as distinct offenses. Over time, “molestation” came to be associated specifically with unwanted sexual contact or coercive behavior, often linked to safeguarding and child-protection discourse, while still retaining broader usage in some contexts to describe general harassment. In contemporary usage, it remains a charged term, requiring precise, sensitive handling in both legal and clinical discussions.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Molestation" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Molestation" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Molestation" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Molestation"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
