# harass

/hɝˈæs/ (US) · /həɹˈæs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/harass
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

to annoy or upset someone by repeatedly bothering them or being aggressive. You use this when someone makes another person feel uncomfortable or unsafe over a long period.

For teachers: to subject someone to aggressive pressure or intimidation through persistent and unwanted actions. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the person or group being targeted.

## Examples

- He was arrested for trying to harass his neighbors.
- The company implemented a strict policy to ensure that no employee would harass their colleagues in the workplace.
- Legal experts argued that the defendant's repeated phone calls and unwanted messages constituted a clear attempt to harass the witness before the trial began.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He harassed to her." but "He harassed her." — Harass is a transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'to' before the object.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. Often used in the passive voice ('to be harassed').

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.