stalking

American  

[staw-king] / ˈstɔ kɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or an instance of stalking, or harassing another in an aggressive, often threatening and illegal manner.

   Stalking is now a crime in many states.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the act of pursuing or harassing.

   Stalking laws have alleviated some problems for famous people.

Other Word Forms

• stalkingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of stalking

stalk ² (verb) + -ing ¹

Explanation

Stalking is the act of following someone or something very closely and watching its every move. If you're a very famous movie star, it's quite likely that someone is stalking you even as you read this sentence! The verb to stalk means to pursue carefully, and often stealthily. It was originally used to describe hunters following their prey and waiting for the precise moment to attack. In its more recent, colloquial use, stalk and its gerund form stalking, refer to the act of pursuing a person, often because you have an unhealthy obsession with them. Stalking your ex-girlfriend to see if she’s dating someone may seem like a good idea, but it’s unwise and illegal!

Example Sentences

And in late February, jurors convicted two activists on stalking charges after they livestreamed themselves following an immigration agent to his home; the pair were acquitted of conspiracy.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

Two Los Angeles protesters were convicted late Friday of stalking a U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

Its four sections carry the drama all the way to 1946, seven years after the end of the Civil War, when Ángel is still stalking the mountains.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

The peace of lush, rural landscape in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province disguises the anxiety that is stalking the land.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

Nurse Finnegan is gonna think I’m stalking her.

From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell

Related Words

• angling
• fishery
• fishing
• shooting