Cool MateBullying vs Harassment
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Bullying
Top 2,000 (common)
Harassment
FormalTop 2,000 (common)C1noun
Most formal: Harassment
| Bullying | Harassment | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈbʊlɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈbʊlɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈhærəsmənt//həˈræsmənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/həˈræsmənt//ˈhærəsmənt/"]/ |
| Meaning | Hurting or picking on someone repeatedly | Bullying or annoying someone repeatedly. |
| Example | Bullying can have serious effects on a child's mental health. | **sexual/racial harassment** |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | stop bullying, bullying behavior, bullying prevention, bullying victim, bullying laws | sexual harassment, verbal harassment, harassment claim, harassment policy, harassment training |
| Antonyms | - | support, defense |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'teasing' - bullying is more serious and harmful., Using 'bully' as a noun to describe a general both aggressor and victim., Assuming all teasing is bullying; not all conflicts are bullying. | Confusing 'harassment' with 'harrassment' (spelling mistake)., Using 'harassment' to describe non-serious teasing or joking., Misunderstanding that harassment only refers to sexual harassment; it can be any form of persistent unwanted behavior. |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Often discussed in schools, workplaces, and online environments. Avoid using the word lightly, as it can have serious implications. | Use 'harassment' in formal contexts, like legal situations or workplace discussions. Avoid informal settings. It's serious behavior that can affect someone's mental health. |
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Frequently asked questions: Bullying vs Harassment
What's the difference between Bullying and Harassment?
Bullying: Hurting or picking on someone repeatedly Harassment: Bullying or annoying someone repeatedly.
Which is more formal: Bullying and Harassment?
Harassment is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Bullying: Bullying can have serious effects on a child's mental health. Harassment: **sexual/racial harassment**
Can I use Bullying and Harassment interchangeably?
Not always. Bullying and Harassment are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.