harass

/'hærəs/

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Word: Harass

Part of Speech: Verb

Definition: To harass someone means to repeatedly annoy or bother them. It can involve making them feel uncomfortable or distressed, often through persistent actions, words, or behavior.

Usage Instructions:

• "Harass" is usually followed by a person (the one being bothered) and often refers to negative or unwanted behavior.
• It can be used in both formal and informal contexts but is often found in discussions about workplace behavior, bullying, or legal matters.

Examples:

1. Simple Example: "The student was harassed by his classmates every day at school."
2. Advanced Example: "The company took legal action against the employee for harassing his female co-workers."

Word Variants:

• Harassment (noun): The act of harassing someone.
  • Example: "Harassment in the workplace is taken very seriously."
• Harasser (noun): A person who harasses someone.
  • Example: "The harasser was reported to the authorities."

Different Meanings:

• While the primary meaning of "harass" involves annoying or troubling someone, it can also refer to attacking someone repeatedly in a physical context, such as in a military situation.
  • Example: "The troops harassed the enemy with constant bombardments."

Synonyms:

• Annoy
• Bother
• Persecute
• Bully
• Torment

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• Harass someone into doing something: To pressure someone repeatedly until they agree to do something.
  • Example: "He harassed her into going to the party, even though she didn't want to."

Notes:

• Harassment can take many forms, including verbal abuse, unwanted physical contact, or even persistent messaging.
• It's important to understand the context in which "harass" is used, especially since it can relate to serious issues like bullying and workplace misconduct.

Academic

Verb

1. exhaust by attacking repeatedly
   • harass the enemy
2. annoy continually or chronically
   • He is known to harry his staff when he is overworked
   • This man harasses his female co-workers