harassment

Repeatedly bothering someone in ways that make them worried, upset, or afraid.

• She faced harassment at work.
• The unwanted calls became a form of harassment.
• They reported the harassment to their manager.

Similar words: pestering, intimidation

Common phrases: constant harassment, suffer harassment, workplace harassment, deliberate harassment

The crime of repeatedly bothering or threatening someone despite being told to stop.

• He was charged with harassment.
• The court heard evidence in the harassment case.
• She reported the repeated messages as harassment.

How to use it: harassment of someone (He was convicted of harassment of his former neighbour.)

Common phrases: criminal harassment, harassment charge

Repeated attacks or criticism that make someone worried or upset.

• The constant criticism became harassment.
• She left public life after years of media harassment.
• The newspaper faced accusations of harassment over its repeated attacks.

Similar words: persecution, hounding

Common phrases: media harassment, relentless harassment