harass
C1Formal, legal, professional, journalistic.
Definition
Meaning
to subject someone to aggressive pressure or intimidation; to bother persistently.
To persistently disturb, annoy, or trouble someone; to pester. Legally and professionally, it refers to systematic, often discriminatory, behavior that creates a hostile or intimidating environment.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The action implies a degree of repetition and persistence, and the target typically experiences distress or feels threatened. It's a transitive verb requiring a direct object.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily in pronunciation: British English typically stresses the first syllable (/ˈhær.əs/), while American English typically stresses the second (/həˈræs/).
Connotations
The meaning is identical, but due to the pronunciation difference, the American version may sound slightly more forceful to British ears.
Frequency
The word is common in both varieties, especially in contexts of workplace policy, law, and social discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] harass [Object] (for/about [Reason])[Object] be harassed by [Subject][Object] be/get harassedVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A campaign of harassment”
- “Endure harassment”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to unlawful workplace behavior, e.g., 'The company has a zero-tolerance policy towards anyone who harasses a colleague.'
Academic
Used in social sciences, law, and psychology to study power dynamics, discrimination, and social conflict.
Everyday
Used to describe persistent, unwanted annoying behavior, e.g., 'The paparazzi constantly harass the celebrities.'
Technical
In military contexts, it means to wear down an enemy with repeated attacks. In ecology, it can refer to animals persistently bothering others.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The protestors were accused of trying to harass the minister.
- She felt her ex-partner continued to harass her online.
American English
- The lawyer warned the company not to harass the whistleblower.
- Fans should not harass athletes for autographs after hours.
adverb
British English
- He looked at her harassedly, as if expecting another problem.
American English
- She spoke harassedly about the campaign against her.
adjective
British English
- The harassed teacher finally took a leave of absence.
- She had a harassed look after the difficult meeting.
American English
- The harassed employee filed a formal complaint with HR.
- He appeared harassed by the constant media scrutiny.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The older children sometimes harass the younger ones in the playground.
- My neighbour's dog barks all night and harasses everyone.
- Journalists should be able to do their jobs without being harassed by authorities.
- The company introduced new training to prevent managers from harassing their staff.
- The tribunal found that the firm had fostered a culture where employees could be harassed with impunity.
- Activists claim the new law is being used to systematically harass political opponents.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a persistent HARE ASS(istant) bothering you. The hare is fast and annoying, representing the persistent nature of harassment.
Conceptual Metaphor
HARASSMENT IS A PHYSICAL BURDEN / ATTACK (e.g., 'weighed down by harassment', 'under a barrage of harassment').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'херасить' (slang for drinking heavily).
- The noun 'harassment' is often best translated as 'домогательство' (esp. sexual) or 'преследование'.
- Avoid using 'беспокоить' for serious cases; it is too weak.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'harrass' (double 'r').
- Using it for a single, minor incident (requires persistence).
- Confusing the pronunciation between UK and US standards.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the core element of 'harassment'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is spelled H-A-R-A-S-S. A common misspelling is 'harrass' with a double 'r'.
Yes. 'Bully' often implies a power imbalance and can be physical or verbal, typically in personal/school contexts. 'Harass' emphasizes systematic, persistent pestering or intimidation and is the standard term in legal/workplace contexts, often related to discrimination.
The word entered English from French 'harasser'. The British pronunciation (/ˈhær.əs/) is closer to the original French stress pattern. The American pronunciation (/həˈræs/) is a later development where stress shifted to the second syllable, which is common for two-syllable verbs in American English.
It is primarily a serious word. Using it lightly (e.g., 'My friends harassed me to go to the party') is informal and hyperbolic. In formal or legal writing, it should be reserved for describing genuine persistent pressure or intimidation.