How to Pronounce “harass”

American (US)

/ˈhærəs/

British (UK)

/həˈræs/

verb — To subject someone to repeated pressure or unwanted attention.

Example: Callers continued to harass the office for weeks.

Synonyms: pester, badger

Where the stress falls. “harass” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈhærəs/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˈhærəs/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "harass" mean?

harass (verb): To subject someone to repeated pressure or unwanted attention. For example — Callers continued to harass the office for weeks.

How do you pronounce "harass" in American vs British English?

American English: /ˈhærəs/. British English: /həˈræs/. Play both on this page to hear the difference.

What is the IPA transcription of "harass"?

/ˈhærəs/ in American English, /həˈræs/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "harass"?

“harass” has 2 syllables, and the transcription /ˈhærəs/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the first one — so the first syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.