harassed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "harassed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is subjected to aggressive pressure or intimidation, often in a context of unwanted behavior or repeated disturbances. Example: "She felt harassed by the constant phone calls and messages from her ex-colleague."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'M HARASSED when I smile and I'm harassed when I don't.

The Economist

However, she said the signature-gatherers for her initiative were often harassed by individuals who support trapping, and she would like to see additional protections put in place – and existing ones enforced – for them.

The Guardian

This is exemplified in the 1991 Tailhook scandal, where more than 80 US naval women officers were sexually harassed by US naval pilots while attending a two-day symposium at a Las Vegas hotel.

The Guardian - Opinion

In Budapest, Madi, then in her mid 40s, watched in dismay as Jews were humiliated, harassed and rounded up to be sent to labour or concentration camps.

The Guardian

"I've got a great deal of sympathy for those women who are harassed in, I think, quite a vile way at a difficult and sensitive time of their lives," Doyle said.

The Guardian

This September, an NUS survey revealed that 37% of women at UK universities have been subject to unwanted sexual advances, and the 2010 Hidden Marks report found that 1 in 7 had experienced serious sexual or physical violence and 68% had been sexually harassed.

The Guardian

I had set off the day before yesterday, determined to see more of this country and to become a little less invisible than I'd felt in the capital city of 11 million harassed souls.

The Guardian - Travel

And on her BBC London radio show, Vanessa Feltz said: "We take seriously people feeling harassed or threatened or intimidated – of course I do, I've got two daughters … but I just don't know how seriously this ought to be taken".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Spoto revealed that Hitchcock had harassed actor Tippi Hedren on the set of 1963's The Birds to the point of physical and psychological collapse.

The Guardian - Film

I call that hypocritical," she told MPs. "When I wrote a critical judgment of their actions on my blog, they harassed my blog site host with midnight emails from lawyers in New York, France and London, forcing my host to close down my blog for a few hours.

The Guardian

Across the country, women in universities find themselves listening to stories of their friends being raped or sexually harassed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "harassed", ensure the context clearly indicates the unwanted and persistent nature of the actions. Provide specific details about the behavior to emphasize the severity and impact on the individual.

Common error

Avoid vague statements when describing instances of being "harassed". Providing specific examples of the actions, words, or behaviors helps establish the seriousness and validity of the claim, preventing potential misunderstandings or dismissals.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "harassed" is as the past participle of the verb 'harass'. It functions as an adjective, describing someone who has been subjected to persistent unwanted actions. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe individuals or groups facing unwanted pressure or mistreatment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "harassed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe someone experiencing unwanted and persistent pressure or intimidation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While alternatives like "bullied" or "persecuted" exist, "harassed" specifically emphasizes the persistent and unwanted nature of the actions. When using "harassed", provide specific details to clarify the nature and severity of the situation and prevent ambiguity. "Harassed" accurately portrays the experience of enduring unwelcome and persistent disturbances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persecuted

Implies persistent mistreatment or oppression, often due to beliefs or identity.

intimidated

Suggests the use of fear to control or influence someone.

bullied

Focuses on repeated aggressive behavior, especially towards someone weaker.

victimised

Highlights the act of being treated unfairly or made a victim.

tormented

Indicates severe mental or physical suffering.

oppressed

Suggests being subjected to unjust or cruel control.

badgered

Implies persistent questioning or urging, often annoyingly.

pestered

Suggests repeatedly bothering someone with requests or interruptions.

hounded

Indicates relentless pursuit or harassment.

beleaguered

Suggests being surrounded and under pressure from many sides.

FAQs

How can "harassed" be used in a sentence?

You can use "harassed" to describe someone experiencing unwanted and persistent pressure. For example, "She felt "harassed" by the constant phone calls" or "The journalist was "harassed" for reporting on corruption".

What are some alternatives to using "harassed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "persecuted", "intimidated", or "bullied" to describe similar experiences.

What distinguishes "harassed" from "oppressed"?

"Harassed" typically refers to specific instances of unwanted behavior or pressure, while "oppressed" implies a more systemic and prolonged form of unjust control or mistreatment.

Is it correct to use "harassed" to describe feeling overwhelmed by tasks?

While technically possible, it's more accurate to use terms like "overwhelmed", "stressed", or "burdened" when describing being overloaded with tasks. "Harassed" typically implies unwanted and malicious actions from another person or group.