2 syllables: Har, ass. Stress on ass.
hur-AS
/hɚˈæs/
Harass is pronounced hur-AS (/hɚˈæs/). It has two syllables (Har-ass), with the stress on "ass". Harass is a verb meaning to persistently bother, torment, or pressure someone in a way that causes distress or fear. It often involves repeated actions or threats, and can be physical, verbal, or electronic. The term is commonly used in legal, workplace, and social contexts to describe prohibited behavior and to discuss responses or remedies.
verbHarass is a verb meaning to persistently bother, torment, or pressure someone in a way that causes distress or fear. It often involves repeated actions or threats, and can be physical, verbal, or electronic. The term is commonly used in legal, workplace, and social contexts to describe prohibited behavior and to discuss responses or remedies.
"The neighbor continued to harass the staff by making unsolicited calls at all hours."
"Online trolls will harass strangers, which can lead to severe emotional distress and legal consequences."
"The company updated its policy after reports of customers being harassed by former employees."
Pronounce as ha-RASS with the primary stress on the second syllable. IPA: US /həˈræs/ or /ˈhærəs/? In careful speech it’s /həˈræːs/, but typical US pronunciation is /həˈræs/ with a schwa in the first syllable and a clear /æ/ in the second, ending with /s/. Mouth: relax jaw, open slightly for /ə/, then raise the tongue for /æ/ and finish with a crisp /s/. Audio reference: think of a quick, two-beat rhythm: /hə/ then /ræss/.
Common errors: 1) Pronouncing it as a long /æ/ in the first syllable (hæ-rass) instead of a reduced /ə/ in /hə/. 2) Flattening the second syllable to /hə-ræss/ with weak final /s/ or adding an extra syllable (ha-ra-ss). 3) Dropping the final /s/ or making it into /z/ in connected speech. Correction: use a short, relaxed /ə/ in the first syllable, keep /ræ/ clearly, and end with a crisp /s/; ensure the second syllable bears the primary stress: /həˈræss/.
US: /həˈræs/ with non-rhotic? No, /r/ is pronounced in US; stress on the second syllable. UK: /həˈræs/ with a shorter /ɒ/ or /æ/? In many UK accents, the vowel in the second syllable is /æ/ but the first can be a schwa; non-rhotic tendency affects /r/ in syllable- initial positions. AU: /həˈræs/ similar to UK; vowel quality can be closer to /æ/ or /a/ depending on region; rhotics lightly pronounced in some Australian accents. Overall, the key difference is vowel quality and rhoticity: US retains /r/; UK closer to non-rhotic patterns for earlier vowels and the AU dialect sits between.
Because of the two-syllable stress pattern where the second syllable carries the primary stress, plus the vowel quality shift from a reduced first vowel to a clear /æ/ in the second; many learners misplace stress or soften the /æ/ into /ə/. Also, the final /s/ must be crisp rather than a voiced /z/ in fluent speech. Mastery requires practicing the transition from /hə/ to /ræ/ quickly, with precise tongue position for /æ/ and a voiceless sibilant at the end.
No silent letters here; the word is pronounced as two syllables with distinct /ə/ and /ræ/ vowels and a final /s/. The challenge is not silent letters, but achieving accurate vowel reduction in the first syllable, a clear /æ/ in the second, and a sharp /s/ at the end. Stress remains on the second syllable despite the apparent doubling of the consonant cluster visually. Practicing with minimal pairs helps you feel the two-syllable rhythm and avoid running the vowel sounds together.
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Harass derives from the Old French herasser, meaning to harass or harassen, with roots likely linked to the Spanish herir (to harry) or the Latin harassare, to harass. The English verb emerged in the 16th century in legal and feudal contexts, referencing torment or harrying an adversary. Over time, meaning broadened to include persistent persecution, intimidation, or nuisance by various agents (individuals, groups, institutions). In modern usage, harass often implies repeated conduct that causes distress, with legal connotations in workplace, educational, and online settings. The spelling reflects the stem harass, with the -ass suffix not semantically related to the common noun; rather, it’s the historical path of the verb through French and Latin intermediaries adapted into English. First known uses appear in early modern legal texts and letters, where authorities warned against harassing behavior. In contemporary English, harass is frequently paired with qualifiers (harass someone online, harass a witness) and is central to anti-harassment policies and civil rights discourse.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Harass" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Harass"
-ass sounds
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