harassment

[huh-ras-muhnt, har-uhs-muhnt]

noun

1. an act or instance of harassing; torment, vexation, or intimidation.

   daily harassment by bullies at school;

   the harassments of daily life.

2. the condition or fact of being harassed.

   the stress of harassment and discrimination.

Pronunciation Note

See harass.

Other Word Forms

• overharassment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of harassment¹

First recorded in 1750–55; harass + -ment

Example Sentences

Remember the Internal Revenue Service scandal of 2013, when it came out that the IRS under the Obama administration had targeted conservative nonprofits for harassment?

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Nick faced harassment—and a brutal assault—for his Latin heritage.

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Yet, employers can generally intervene in personal relationships when there is a clear, justified reason to do so, such as managing a conflict of interest or rooting out harassment, legal specialists said.

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Mr Davies' phrase was found by his employer to amount to harassment, but neither his clean disciplinary record or 27 years of employment for the firm were taken into account, the judge found.

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She said that "those who have been in care often face discrimination, harassment and victimisation throughout their lives, in housing, education, health, employment and the justice system".

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Related Words

• molestation 
• persecution 
• provocation