trolling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trolling" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of online interactions to describe the act of provoking or upsetting others for amusement. Example: "He was just trolling in the comments section, trying to get a rise out of people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Does ignoring trolls actually stop trolling?

The Guardian

Trolling for your soul ReprintsYet trolling mostly goes unpunished.

The Economist

Harding said that it was obvious the trolling on Ukraine-related issues was organised, as the trolls "are given talking points" and certain phrases were used again and again.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We lose core user after core user by not addressing simple trolling issues that they face every day".

The Guardian - Tech

In trolling cases, for example, by protecting the abuser, you are discouraging the abused from entering public debates.

The Guardian - Opinion

Internet trolling might seem like an issue that only affects a certain subset of people, but that's only true if you believe that living in a world devoid of diverse voices – public discourse shaped primarily by white, heterosexual, able-bodied men – wouldn't profoundly affect your life.

The Guardian

There's a term for this brand of gratuitous online cruelty: we call it internet trolling.

The Guardian

The next morning, I woke up to an email: Hey Lindy, I don't know why or even when I started trolling you.

The Guardian

The trolling adverts are a microcosm of the broader issue Twitter has with harassment on the service.

The Guardian - Tech

Gove's appointment as justice secretary seems to be somewhere between a sardonic trolling of the judiciary and simple misdirection.

The Guardian - Opinion

The actor's speech on gender equality and feminism, in her role as UN goodwill ambassador, attracted widespread support – and inevitable vicious trolling – on social media.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing online interactions, use "trolling" to specifically describe the act of provoking or upsetting others for amusement. Be mindful of the negative connotations associated with the term.

Common error

Avoid using "trolling" as a general term for any online disagreement or criticism. "Trolling" implies a deliberate attempt to provoke or harass, not simply expressing a differing opinion.

Linguistic Context

The word "trolling" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the act of making deliberately offensive or provocative online posts. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples of its usage in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trolling" is a frequently used term, especially within News & Media, to describe the act of online harassment and provocation. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely understood. While generally neutral in register, it carries negative connotations and should be used carefully to accurately reflect the deliberate intent behind the online behavior. Alternatives such as "online harassment", "cyberbullying", and "online baiting" offer varying degrees of semantic similarity, allowing for more precise communication depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

online harassment

Focuses on the harassing nature of the activity, a core component of "trolling".

cyberbullying

Specifically refers to bullying behavior carried out online, similar to "trolling" but often targeted at individuals.

online baiting

Emphasizes the act of provoking a reaction from others online, which is a key element of "trolling".

internet provocation

Highlights the intentional act of provoking or inciting a reaction online, akin to "trolling".

incendiary posting

Focuses on posts that are designed to ignite conflict or strong emotions, a common tactic in "trolling".

flame warring

Describes engaging in hostile and insulting exchanges online, which can be a result of "trolling".

online antagonism

Refers to actively creating hostility or opposition online, a typical behavior of someone "trolling".

digital heckling

Implies interrupting or harassing others online, similar to heckling in a live setting, but digitally.

internet taunting

Highlights the act of mocking or teasing someone online, a form of "trolling".

malicious commenting

Focuses on the harmful and ill-intentioned nature of the comments, typical of "trolling".

FAQs

How is "trolling" different from cyberbullying?

"Trolling" often aims to provoke a general reaction, while "cyberbullying" is typically targeted harassment towards a specific individual.

What's the best way to deal with "trolling"?

Often, the best approach is to ignore the troll, as engagement can encourage further "trolling". Reporting the behavior to platform moderators is also effective.

What are some signs of "trolling"?

Signs include deliberately inflammatory statements, personal attacks, and attempts to derail conversations for amusement.

Is "trolling" illegal?

Depending on the severity and nature of the "trolling", it can potentially constitute harassment or other offenses, leading to legal consequences.