harassment
HA-rus-ment
/ˈhærəsmənt/
Aggressive pressure or intimidation.
Can refer to a single act or a series of acts, often unwelcome and creating a hostile environment. It's broader than bullying and can be directed at adults as well as children.
The story behind the word. The word 'harassment' comes from the Old French verb 'harasser,' meaning 'to tire out, to weary.' It originally referred to tiring out a horse or a dog during a hunt. Over time, its meaning shifted to the more general sense of bothering or troubling someone persistently, eventually leading to its modern usage describing aggressive pressure or intimidation, both online and off.
Word relationships
- intimidation: Focuses more on instilling fear, often through threats.
- molestation: Often implies sexual harassment, or physical disturbance.
- persecution: More severe, often systematic oppression or ill-treatment, especially based on race, religion, or political beliefs.
- respect: Treating someone with dignity.
- support: Providing assistance and encouragement.
Commonly confused with
- bullying: Bullying is typically repeated, targeted at a weaker individual; harassment can be broader, including a single act or targeting adults.
- cyberbullying: Cyberbullying is a specific type of harassment that occurs online, usually among minors.
Word family
- harass (verb): To subject to aggressive pressure or intimidation.
- harasser (noun): A person who harasses.
- harassing (adjective): Engaging in harassment; causing annoyance.
Collocations
- sexual harassment
- online harassment
- verbal harassment
- stop harassment
Example sentences
- "The company has a zero-tolerance policy against any form of harassment in the workplace." A legal discussion about workplace conduct.
- "Online harassment can take many forms, from hateful comments to persistent unwanted contact." Reporting on online behavior.
Memory hook
Imagine someone 'HARASSING' you by constantly 'HURRYING' you or making you feel 'HARRIED'. Persistent annoyance
When not to use
Do not use for a minor disagreement or a single, unintentional offense.
Fun facts
- The legal definition of harassment often requires a pattern of behavior rather than an isolated incident.
Related words
Explore more words
hound, persecution, aggression, extortion, intrusive, assault
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