Hounding: meaning, definitions and examples

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hounding

 

[ ˈhaʊndɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

persistent pursuit

Hounding refers to the act of persistently chasing or bothering someone or something. It often implies an intense, relentless pursuit that can be both aggressive and intrusive. This term can be used in various contexts, including personal relationships, journalism, or even law enforcement, where an individual is constantly pursued or harassed. The behavior associated with hounding can lead to feelings of distress or discomfort for the person being hounded. While originally associated with hunting dogs used to track down game, the term has evolved to describe a range of persistent pursuits.

Synonyms

harassing, nagging, pursuing, stalking, trailing

Examples of usage

  • The paparazzi were hounding the celebrity for a story.
  • He felt like his ex was hounding him after their breakup.
  • The reporters kept hounding the politician for a statement.
  • After the scandal, the company faced hounding from consumers for answers.

Translations

Translations of the word "hounding" in other languages:

🇵🇹 perseguição

🇮🇳 शिकार करना

🇩🇪 Verfolgung

🇮🇩 pengejaran

🇺🇦 переслідування

🇵🇱 prześladowanie

🇯🇵 追跡

🇫🇷 harcèlement

🇪🇸 persecución

🇹🇷 takip etme

🇰🇷 추적

🇸🇦 مطاردة

🇨🇿 pronásledování

🇸🇰 prenasledovanie

🇨🇳 追踪

🇸🇮 preganjanje

🇮🇸 veiði

🇰🇿 қуып жету

🇬🇪 დევნა

🇦🇿 izləmə

🇲🇽 persecución

Word origin

The word 'hound' originates from Old English 'hund', which refers to a type of dog, particularly those bred for hunting. The term has roots in Proto-Germanic '*hundaz' and Proto-Indo-European '*ḱwṓn', meaning 'dog'. Throughout history, hounding has been associated with hunting dogs that chase down prey, applying pressure until the quarry is captured. As the language evolved, the verb 'to hound' emerged in Middle English, adopting its modern sense of persistent pursuit or harassment. By the 19th century, the term began to see broader application beyond the literal context of hunting dogs, extending to describing any relentless pursuit in various scenarios. The metaphorical usage reflects the aggressive nature of chasing that characterized actual hunting practices, translating the physical act into social and personal contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,528 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.