harassment
UK: həˈræsmənt | US: həˈræsmənt
n. the act of persistently annoying, threatening, or intimidating someone
n. aggressive pressure or intimidation, especially in a repeated or systematic manner
The word "harassment" originates from the French verb harasser, meaning "to exhaust" or "to tire out," which itself likely derives from the Old French harer ("to set a dog on"). The suffix -ment was added to form a noun denoting the action or result of harassing. Over time, the meaning evolved from physical exhaustion to persistent psychological or emotional pressure, reflecting broader societal recognition of such behaviors.
She filed a complaint about workplace harassment.
Cyber harassment has become a serious issue in online communities.
The law protects individuals from racial or sexual harassment.
His constant phone calls amounted to harassment.
The company has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any kind.