Meaning & use

harass

verb·Academic

To repeatedly trouble, disturb, or attack someone in a way that causes distress or intimidation.

See it in a sentence

The company fired the manager after employees reported that he harassed junior staff.

Photographers harassed the actress outside her home until she finally called the police.

A note on using this word

Harass implies a pattern of repeated, unwanted behavior rather than a single incident, and is common in workplace and legal contexts.

Words with a similar meaning

tormentpesterintimidate

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

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