harass

USAGE SUMMARY

“harass” is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person who is persistently oppressive or intimidating another person. For example: "The supervisor was accused of harassing his employee with constant criticism."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the move comes as the company faces pressure over its self-service advertising tools, which have been used to troll and harass users of the site even after it announced a crackdown on harassment.

The Guardian - Tech

The inquiry that followed Anderson's death revealed a group of young white people had been coming to Jackson to harass and assault African Americans.

The Guardian

He accepted that their motive for driving up and down the Todd was not to harass black people.

The Guardian

This was a deliberate course of conduct designed to create unpleasantness and to harass and distress".

The Guardian

Wildlife officials received complaints that information was being used to harass and threaten hunters and trappers, Aasheim said.

The Guardian

Despite the recent troubles in town and the men's subsequent actions, the defence claimed their intention was not to harass Aboriginals, but to check if it was possible to drive to the old Telegraph Station, 6km upriver.

The Guardian

Platforms don't harass people, sure; people harass people.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Baltimore police lieutenant charged with the manslaughter of Freddie Gray was accused of threatening to kill an ex-girlfriend several years before allegedly abusing his position to harass another former partner and her family.

The Guardian

"Every time they come, they harass the kids".

The Guardian

Over the past month, however, that functionality has been used to troll and harass users of the service.

The Guardian - Tech

Wildlife officials are proposing to keep confidential the names of hunters and trappers who kill any wildlife in Montana, saying that information that can be obtained under the state's right-to-know laws is being used to threaten and harass.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sensitive topics like discrimination or abuse, use “harass” with precision. Consider the specific actions and impact on the victim to ensure accurate representation. For instance, differentiate between “harass”, “intimidate”, and “persecute” to convey the right nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "harass" loosely to describe any form of annoyance. The term implies a persistent and intentional pattern of unwelcome behavior that causes distress or harm. Misusing the word can diminish the seriousness of actual harassment cases.

Linguistic Context

Harass functions primarily as a verb, describing the action of subjecting someone to aggressive pressure or intimidation. Ludwig confirms its use in contexts ranging from personal interactions to institutional behaviors, indicating its broad applicability in describing unwelcome and disturbing conduct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "harass" is a versatile verb used to describe persistent and unwelcome actions that disturb or threaten someone. Ludwig confirms its prevalent use across various domains, particularly in News & Media. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's crucial to use it with precision, differentiating it from milder terms like "annoy" or stronger terms like "persecute". Remember to avoid overgeneralizing its meaning to maintain clarity and impact in your writing. Given its frequency and relevance, understanding the connotations and appropriate usage of "harass" is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

molest

This alternative directly implies physical or verbal abuse, often of a sexual nature, making it a more severe form of harassment.

torment

This alternative implies causing severe mental or physical suffering, making it a stronger form of harassment.

persecute

This alternative suggests systematic oppression or discrimination, often based on identity or beliefs, making it a more severe and targeted form of harassment.

intimidate

This alternative focuses on instilling fear or coercion, which may be a component of harassment but not always the primary goal.

oppress

This alternative implies unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power, which can involve harassment as a method of control.

bully

This alternative specifically refers to using superior strength or influence to intimidate someone, often in a repeated pattern.

badger

This alternative suggests persistent nagging or pestering, which is a milder, more repetitive form of harassment.

hound

This alternative implies relentless pursuit or tracking down, often with the intention of pressuring or tormenting someone.

pester

This alternative refers to repeatedly bothering someone with requests or questions, usually considered a mild form of annoyance.

annoy

This alternative is a general term for causing irritation or displeasure, which can be a component of harassment but is often less intense.

FAQs

How can I use "harass" in a sentence?

You can use "harass" to describe persistent and unwanted actions that disturb or threaten someone. For example, "The company was fined for allowing its employees to "harass" their colleagues".

What are some synonyms for "harass"?

Some synonyms for "harass" include "molest", "intimidate", "pester", and "persecute", each carrying slightly different connotations of unwanted behavior.

What is the difference between "harass" and "annoy"?

"Annoy" refers to causing mild irritation or displeasure, while "harass" implies a more severe, persistent, and disturbing pattern of unwanted behavior. "Harass" typically involves creating a hostile or threatening environment, while annoyance is usually a minor and temporary inconvenience.

Is "harass" a formal or informal term?

"Harass" is a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in legal, professional, and everyday discussions to describe unwelcome and disturbing behavior.