Harassing: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe unwanted and aggressive behavior, often persistent, that bothers someone. Common in situations involving work or online environments.

• She reported her coworker for harassing her with inappropriate comments.
• Constant spam emails can feel like someone is harassing you.

Typically used in school or child-focused contexts, but also applicable in workplaces, where someone repeatedly and over time intends to hurt another person physically, emotionally, or socially.

• He was bullied every day at school because of his appearance.
• Workplace bullying should never be tolerated.

Refers to actions that are intended to make someone feel frightened or overpowered, often through showing strength or superiority.

• His deep voice and tall figure were intimidating to the new students.
• The company was known for intimidating employees into working extra hours.

Used to describe causing someone to suffer severe physical or mental pain, often repeatedly. Has a strong negative connotation.

• The villain took pleasure in tormenting his captives.
• She felt tormented by the memories of her past.

Harassing is used to describe actions that make someone feel annoyed, worried, or upset over a period of time. This term can be used in a variety of contexts including the workplace, online, or in public spaces.

• She reported her colleague for harassing her with inappropriate comments.
• Stop harassing me with your constant messages.

Discrimination is used when someone is treated unfairly or unjustly based on certain characteristics like race, gender, age, religion, or disability. It is often used in legal, workplace, or social justice contexts.

• The company was sued for gender discrimination.
• Discrimination against people with disabilities is against the law.

Bullying refers to aggressive behavior that involves an imbalance of power or strength, typically repeated over time. It often occurs in schools, online, or within peer groups. It has a negative connotation.

• The school has a strict policy against bullying.
• He was bullied by his classmates because he was new.

Victimization refers to treating someone unfairly or making them suffer, usually in a systematic way. It often implies that the person is being targeted repeatedly. It carries a negative connotation.

• The employee complained about victimization by her supervisor.
• They felt a sense of victimization after the unfair policies were implemented.