Stalking
The act of pursuing or harassing someone persistently, often with malicious intent, causing fear or distress.
A specific and often criminal form of harassment characterized by repeated, unwanted contact, surveillance, or pursuit that creates a reasonable fear for one's safety or mental distress.
Word relationships
- pursuit: More general, can be neutral or positive (e.g., pursuit of happiness).
- shadowing: Following someone secretly, but doesn't necessarily imply malicious intent or harassment.
- hounding: Persistent harassment, often aggressive, similar to stalking but can be less systematic.
- avoidance: The action of keeping away from or not doing something.
- ignoring: Refusing to take notice of or acknowledge.
Commonly confused with
- harassment: Stalking is a specific, often criminal, form of harassment involving persistent pursuit and unwanted contact that causes fear. Harassment is a broader term for unwelcome conduct that creates a hostile environment, which may or may not involve pursuit.
Word family
- stalk (v): To pursue or approach stealthily; to harass persistently.
- stalker (n): A person who stalks another.
Collocations
- cyberstalking
- stalking charges
- stalking behavior
- stalking victim
Example sentences
- "The victim obtained a restraining order against her ex-partner, citing repeated instances of stalking and threats." A legal case.
- "Cyberstalking, where individuals are harassed and monitored online, has become a serious concern." Online behavior.
- "The lion's silent stalking of its prey demonstrated its predatory skill." Animal behavior.
Memory hook
Imagine a 'STALK' of corn, and a 'STALKER' is someone who moves as quietly and persistently as a plant growing, always there. STALK of corn, stealthy
When not to use
Do not use for casual following or admiring from a distance without any element of persistence, unwanted contact, or intent to cause fear.
Fun facts
- Stalking laws vary significantly by jurisdiction, but generally involve a pattern of conduct that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or suffer substantial emotional distress.
- The term 'stalking' gained prominence in the late 20th century as public awareness of such behaviors increased.
Related words
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