Trolling Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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trolling

[ˈtrəʊlɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

online behavior

The act of making deliberately offensive or provocative online posts with the aim of upsetting someone or eliciting an angry response.

Synonyms

cyberbullying, harassment, provocation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
trolling	Trolling involves making provocative or off-topic comments online with the intent of provoking an emotional reaction or disrupting conversation. It's often used in a light-hearted or mischievous manner, though it can also be harmful. Ignoring trolls can often be the best way to deal with their disruptive comments. She accused him of trolling when he left several sarcastic comments on her post.
cyberbullying	Cyberbullying is the use of digital technology to deliberately harm or harass someone. This term is used when the actions are repetitive and specifically targeted towards an individual, often with malicious intent. He reported the case of cyberbullying to the school after receiving threatening messages from a classmate. Cyberbullying can have serious emotional and psychological effects on victims.
harassment	Harassment refers to aggressive pressure or intimidation, and it can occur both online and offline. It implies persistent and unwanted behavior that is often threatening or offensive. She filed a complaint against her coworker for harassment after receiving inappropriate emails. Online harassment can take many forms, including sending offensive messages or stalking someone's social media profiles.
provocation	Provocation involves actions or comments intended to elicit a strong emotional response or reaction from someone. It doesn't necessarily have a negative connotation, but it often does. His constant provocation during the debate made it difficult for her to remain calm. The artist's work is known for its political provocation and commentary.

Examples of usage

He was accused of trolling on social media by posting inflammatory comments.
Trolling can have serious consequences, such as cyberbullying and harassment.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

online behavior

To make a deliberately offensive or provocative online post with the aim of upsetting someone or eliciting an angry response.

Synonyms

cyberbullying, harassing, provoking.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
trolling	This term is used when someone deliberately posts inflammatory, derogatory, or off-topic messages in an online community with the intent to provoke an emotional response or disrupt conversations. He's always trolling in the comments section, trying to get people angry. Her trolling on the forum caused a huge argument among the members.
cyberbullying	This term is used to describe the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature. It is a serious issue, especially among teens. She reported the cyberbullying to her school after receiving threatening messages online. Cyberbullying can have very harmful effects on a person's mental health.
harassing	This term is used when someone persistently annoys or creates discomfort for another person. It can happen both online and offline, and often has strong legal connotations. He was accused of harassing his coworkers with unwanted emails. Her ex-boyfriend kept harassing her with phone calls after they broke up.
provoking	This term is used when someone deliberately acts in a way that is intended to elicit a strong emotional reaction from another person. It can be done both playfully and maliciously. She kept provoking him by teasing him about his favorite sports team. His constant taunts were meant to provoke a fight.

Examples of usage

He enjoys trolling people in online forums.
She was trolled by anonymous users on the internet.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'trolling'

The term 'trolling' originated from the fishing technique of trailing bait through a body of water in the hope of catching fish. In the early days of the internet, 'trolling' referred to the act of posting provocative or offensive messages to elicit emotional responses from others. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass a broader range of online behaviors aimed at disrupting conversations or causing distress to others.