harassment
n. uncountablen. unwanted behavior from someone that makes you feel upset, scared, or unsafe. It usually happens more than once and can be verbal, physical, or online.
n. aggressive pressure or intimidation directed at a person or group. Often involves persistent, unwelcome conduct that creates a hostile environment.
The company has strict rules against workplace harassment.
She reported the persistent phone calls to the police as a form of criminal harassment.
Legal frameworks distinguish between general harassment and specific discriminatory acts, though both involve a pattern of behavior intended to disturb or upset the victim.
Borrowed from Middle French harassement. By surface analysis, harass + -ment.
Commonly paired with 'of' to indicate the victim or 'against' to indicate the target group.