power harassment

USAGE SUMMARY

"power harassment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a type of bullying or intimidation by someone of higher social or power status. For example: "The supervisor subjected his employees to power harassment on a daily basis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Hashimoto is the supreme figure in the [Japanese] skating world," the magazine said, adding that the encounter could be described as "power harassment or sexual harassment".

The Guardian

Court documents show the man had worked almost 200 hours of overtime a month in the seven months before his death, a form of "power harassment" that the judge blamed for leaving the victim mentally ill.

The Guardian

"This is a ruling that encourages workers suffering from prolonged work and power harassment," the family's lawyer told r​eporters.

Vice

He hung himself in 2010, which judge Aki​ra Yamada ruled was at least partially the fault of his employer and two fellow employees".With only one holiday given to him every several months, the psychological load of prolonged work and power harassment caused his mental disorder," the judge wrote.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In its Freedom in the World 2010 survey, the watchdog scored Cambodia five out of seven for its record on civil liberties – with one being the most free, seven the least free – saying that critics of the Cambodian People's party, which holds power, faced harassment.

The Guardian

"Takahashi does not think he was a victim of power or sexual harassment," the agent was quoted as saying.

The Guardian

In the full clip above, the producers discuss how Hollywood normalized abuse of power and sexual harassment.

Huffington Post

It's ambitious, to say the least, as its unwieldy name, the "Ending the Monopoly of Power Over Workplace harassment through Education and Reporting," or the EMPOWER Act, indicates.

Vice

Raworth said she decided to eventually speak out because "it's incredibly important in the current climate we are in that we have these conversations about abuse of power and sexual harassment in the workplace".

Huffington Post

One person, then two people, then three or four, and before you know it, the harassers lose their power knowing that sexual harassment is against the law and there will be consequences if that law gets broken.

Huffington Post

In online harassment, the power of single stories can lead us to misidentify a problem.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "power harassment", be specific about the behaviors constituting the harassment and the power dynamics involved.

Common error

Avoid using "power harassment" as a blanket term for all types of bullying. It specifically refers to harassment stemming from an imbalance of power, where the harasser holds a superior position.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "power harassment" functions as a noun phrase describing a specific type of harassment that involves an abuse of authority or position. As per Ludwig AI's evaluation, the term is valid and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "power harassment" is a recognized term for harassment stemming from a power imbalance, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct, its occurrence is relatively rare. It's predominantly used in news and media, as well as in scientific contexts. When using this term, clarity and specificity are key to avoid misinterpretations with general bullying. Related phrases such as "abuse of power" or "workplace bullying" can be used as alternatives depending on the context. Remember to be specific when using the term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abuse of power

Broader term referring to any misuse of authority, not specifically in a harassment context.

authority abuse

Similar to abuse of power, but emphasizes the position of authority rather than the act itself.

workplace bullying

Focuses on bullying behavior in the workplace, which can include but is not limited to power dynamics.

bullying by superiors

Specifically highlights bullying behavior from individuals in higher positions.

intimidation by authority

Emphasizes the act of intimidation stemming from a position of authority.

leadership abuse

Focuses on the misuse of leadership roles for harmful purposes.

exploitation of authority

Highlights the opportunistic misuse of authority for personal gain or other harmful purposes.

domination and harassment

Highlights the dynamic of domination in the context of harassment.

coercive control

Describes control achieved through coercion, which might involve harassment.

oppression in the workplace

Focuses on systematic and unjust treatment within the work environment.

FAQs

How is "power harassment" different from general bullying?

"Power harassment" specifically involves a situation where the harasser holds a position of authority or power over the victim, unlike general bullying which may not involve such a power dynamic.

What are some examples of "power harassment" in the workplace?

Examples include a supervisor constantly criticizing an employee's work unfairly, a manager making demeaning comments, or a senior colleague sabotaging a junior colleague's projects.

What can I do if I am experiencing "power harassment"?

Document all incidents, report the harassment to HR or a higher authority, and seek support from trusted colleagues or a therapist. Consider seeking legal advice as well.

What are some alternative phrases for "power harassment"?

You can use alternatives like "abuse of power", "workplace bullying", or "authority abuse" depending on the specific context.