hounding: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal and Informal (predominantly negative connotation)
Quick answer
What does “hounding” mean?
The act of relentlessly pursuing, harassing, or pressuring someone, especially in a persistent and unwelcome manner.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of relentlessly pursuing, harassing, or pressuring someone, especially in a persistent and unwelcome manner.
Can refer to persistent criticism, chasing of prey by hounds, or the continuous pursuit of a goal, job, or person in a demanding, obsessive way.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar in both varieties. The literal sense of dogs hunting is slightly more common in British contexts (e.g., fox hunting discourse). The figurative sense of pressuring someone is equally common.
Connotations
Strongly negative in both varieties, implying persecution, bullying, or unwanted attention.
Frequency
Moderate frequency in both. More common in news/journalistic contexts regarding political or media pressure.
Grammar
How to Use “hounding” in a Sentence
[Subject] is hounding [Object] (for/about something)[Subject] got hounded [out of/into something]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hounding” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The reporters have been hounding the MP about the expenses scandal.
- He felt hounded by tax officials for a minor discrepancy.
American English
- The paparazzi hounded the celebrity all the way to her car.
- Creditors hounded him for months until he declared bankruptcy.
adjective
British English
- The hounding criticism from the backbenches forced the minister to reconsider.
- She faced a hounding media campaign after the leak.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to aggressive debt collection, persistent sales tactics, or pressuring employees to resign.
Academic
Used in historical/sociological texts describing persecution of groups or individuals.
Everyday
Complaining about being constantly nagged or pressured by someone (e.g., family, salespeople).
Technical
Rare. May appear in legal contexts regarding harassment.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hounding”
- Using 'hunting' instead of 'hounding' for figurative pressure. *'The press is hunting the minister' is less idiomatic than 'hounding'.
- Confusing with 'ounding' sound as in 'founding'.
- Using as a neutral term for 'following'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, overwhelmingly so. It implies unwanted, excessive, and often aggressive pursuit or pressure.
'Hunting' is a broader, more neutral term for seeking/searching, often for game or objects. 'Hounding' is specifically about persistent, dogged pursuit of a person or group, with a strong negative connotation of harassment.
Extremely rarely. It might be used humorously or ironically (e.g., 'I've been hounding my favourite author for an autograph'), but the core sense remains one of pestering.
The gerund 'hounding' itself functions as a noun (e.g., 'the relentless hounding'). The related noun is 'hound' (the dog or a persistent person), but the action is best described by the gerund.
The act of relentlessly pursuing, harassing, or pressuring someone, especially in a persistent and unwelcome manner.
Hounding is usually formal and informal (predominantly negative connotation) in register.
Hounding: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊndɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊndɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To hound someone out of town/office”
- “To be hounded by the past”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a pack of HOUNDs ING (ing) a fox – relentlessly chasing it. The word sounds like 'hounding' – a constant, dog-like pursuit.
Conceptual Metaphor
PEOPLE ARE HUNTERS / PRESSURE IS A PHYSICAL PURSUIT / CRITICISM IS A PACK OF DOGS
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'hounding' CORRECTLY?