Hounded

Hounded refers to being pursued or harassed persistently, often in a relentless or oppressive manner. The term can denote both physical pursuit, as in being tracked down, and emotional or psychological pressure, where an individual feels constantly chased or tormented by demands, worries, or criticisms. It emphasizes a sense of urgency and distress associated with being unable to escape from someone's or something's influence.

Hounded meaning with examples

• After the scandal broke, the once-prominent actor was hounded by the media. Paparazzi camped outside his home, capturing every moment of his life. At times, he felt like a prisoner in his own house, with flashing cameras making him retreat further from the public eye, desperately hoping for some peace away from the relentless scrutiny.
• Students who excel often find themselves hounded by expectations. Their peers and teachers alike praise their achievements but simultaneously pressure them to maintain high grades. This constant pressure can create anxiety, making even the brightest students question their self-worth, as they feel they must always live up to others' hopes.
• In a quirky neighborhood, a dog owner hounded his pet to perform tricks in public. The dog, however, was more interested in chasing squirrels. While the owner lovingly urged the canine to perform, passersby would chuckle, amused by the dog's stubbornness. Despite whatever hounding commands were issued, the dog simply wanted adventure.
• The novelist felt hounded by his critics after the poor reception of his latest book. Late-night reviews flooded the internet, dissecting every word he wrote. Each critique felt like a weight, causing self-doubt to creep in. He wondered if his passion for storytelling could survive such relentless scrutiny or if he needed to change his approach.
• After the surprise election victory, the new politician found himself hounded by lobbyists. Everyone seemed to want a piece of him, urging new policies and favors. As each day passed, he realized he had to draw boundaries; he could not please everyone. Balancing the demands of the public and personal beliefs became a daily challenge.