What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
harassment
Example
She filed a complaint against her boss for sexual harassment. [harassment: noun]
Example
The constant phone calls and messages from her ex-boyfriend amounted to harassment. [harassment: noun]
molestation
Example
The child reported being molested by the neighbor. [molested: past tense verb]
Example
She was traumatized by the experience of molestation during her childhood. [molestation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Harassment is a more commonly used term in everyday language and is often discussed in the media and legal contexts. Molestation is less common and is typically used in legal or medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between harassment and molestation?
Both harassment and molestation are serious and formal terms that are associated with legal or medical contexts. However, molestation is generally considered more severe and may be used in more formal or technical settings.
