stalking

[ staw-king ]

noun

1. the act or an instance of stalking, or harassing another in an aggressive, often threatening and illegal manner:

   Stalking is now a crime in many states.

adjective

1. of or relating to the act of pursuing or harassing:

   Stalking laws have alleviated some problems for famous people.

Other Words From

• stalking·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of stalking¹

stalk ² (verb) + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

In 1989, at the age of 21, while preparing for an audition for “The Godfather Part III,” she was shot to death on her doorstep by Robert John Bardo, who had been stalking her.

From New York Times

North Wales Police investigated, and Ceri's ex-husband was charged with assault, controlling and coercive behaviour and stalking involving serious alarm.

From BBC

There was a mountain lion stalking us, doing that back and forth walk, with its head and eyes staying fixed on us below like literal pigs in a blanket.

From Los Angeles Times

Art the Clown has a private agenda of massacring suburban families and stalking young women.

From Los Angeles Times

That morning, Holly told friends he was "basically stalking" her and feared he would be waiting outside her school, Queen Elizabeth High.

From BBC

Related Words

• angling
• fishery
• fishing
• shooting