verging on harassment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "verging on harassment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe behavior that is approaching or bordering on harassment, often in a context where someone's actions are becoming increasingly inappropriate or unwelcome. Example: "His constant messages and calls are verging on harassment, making her feel uncomfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Or was it verging on harassment?

Independent

Campaign email in 2012 says mostly the same thing it said yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that, verging on harassment.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Olivia Katbi took to social media to highlight what she described as "soulless" treatment from Sallie Mae that verged on "borderline harassment" to collect the debt from her mother, who had co-signed some of Andrew's loans.

Huffington Post

"Of course charities need to be able to raise funds to survive, but when the nature of the fundraising verges on harassment, it bad for the charities and the community they are set up to serve".

The Guardian

It was verging on rare.

The New Yorker

"O.K.," Loria said, verging on impatient.

The New Yorker

Verging on being OK.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

ATMOSPHERE -- Verging on futuristic.

The New York Times

Verging on inedible.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Yet these declines are verging on microscopic.

The New York Times

Verging on Christmas cake though.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "verging on harassment", ensure the context clearly illustrates actions that are inappropriate, unwelcome, and approaching the severity of actual harassment. Provide specific examples of the behavior to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "verging on harassment" for minor annoyances or disagreements. Reserve it for situations where the behavior genuinely approaches the threshold of harassment, involving repeated, unwelcome, and potentially intimidating actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "verging on harassment" functions as a descriptive modifier, indicating that an action or behavior is approaching the threshold of being considered harassment. It suggests that while the action may not fully meet the legal or common definition of harassment, it is close to doing so. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "verging on harassment" is a descriptive term used to characterize actions that are approaching the level of actual harassment. It is grammatically correct and, according to Ludwig AI, appropriate for use in written English. While the phrase itself is neutral, it is often employed in contexts where there is concern about inappropriate or unwelcome behavior. Common alternatives include "bordering on harassment" and "approaching harassment". Due to the sensitive nature of the topic, careful consideration should be given to ensure it is used accurately and appropriately. The phrase is predominantly found in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bordering on harassment

Indicates a state very close to harassment, often used interchangeably with the original phrase.

on the verge of harassment

Emphasizes the imminence of crossing the line into harassment.

approaching harassment

Suggests a movement towards becoming harassment, emphasizing the progression of the behavior.

close to harassment

Indicates proximity to the threshold of what is considered harassment.

treading the line of harassment

Highlights that the action is close to crossing the line into harassment.

tantamount to harassment

Equates the behavior almost directly to harassment, implying a strong similarity in impact and nature.

nearly harassment

Focuses on how the action almost constitutes harassment.

akin to harassment

Highlights the similarity of the actions with actual harassment.

akin to bullying

Shifts the focus to the bullying aspect of the action. Bullying often contains forms of harassment.

verging on abusive behavior

Expands to abusive behavior, captures a general pattern of inappropriate actions.

FAQs

What does "verging on harassment" mean?

It means that a behavior or action is close to becoming harassment but hasn't fully crossed the line. It implies that the behavior is inappropriate, unwelcome, and potentially intimidating.

What can I say instead of "verging on harassment"?

You can use alternatives like "bordering on harassment", "approaching harassment", or "tantamount to harassment depending on the context".

How do I determine if something is "verging on harassment"?

Assess the frequency, intensity, and impact of the behavior. Is it repeated? Is it unwelcome? Does it create a hostile or intimidating environment? If the answer to these questions is yes, then the behavior may be "verging on harassment".

Is there a legal definition of "verging on harassment"?

While "verging on harassment" isn't a precise legal term, it describes behavior that could potentially lead to legal action if it escalates into actual harassment. Laws vary, so consult legal resources to understand local definitions of harassment.