harass

verb

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ha·rass | \ hə-ˈras

; ˈher-əs, ˈha-rəs

harassed; harassing; harasses

Definition of harass

transitive verb

1a : exhaust, fatigue I have been harassed with the toil of verse— William Wordsworth

b(1) : to annoy persistently was harassing his younger brother

(2) : to create an unpleasant or hostile situation for especially by uninvited and unwelcome verbal or physical conduct was being harassed by her classmates claims that the police were unfairly harassing him

2 : to worry and impede by repeated raids harassed the enemy

Other Words from harass Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About harass

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Choose the Right Synonym for harass

worry, annoy, harass, harry, plague, pester, tease mean to disturb or irritate by persistent acts. worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation. pursued a policy of worrying the enemy annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks. you're doing that just to annoy me harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power. harassed on all sides by creditors harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment. the strikers had been harried by thugs plague implies a painful and persistent affliction. plagued all her life by poverty pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks. constantly pestered with trivial complaints tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath. children teased the dog

Examples of harass in a Sentence

She was constantly harassed by the other students. He claims that he is being unfairly harassed by the police.

Recent Examples on the Web Attorney General Ashley Moody said in a statement that Cernech worked with the Chaits to harass the company into paying them the millions of dollars. — Lisa J. Huriash, sun-sentinel.com, 27 Aug. 2021 The watchers would have to pledge not to harass voters. — Allie Morris, Dallas News, 23 Aug. 2021 Congress would do less economic harm by dropping the provision to harass honest taxpayers by supersizing the IRS and simply adding the $100 billion to the deficit. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, 25 June 2021 The nets confiscated by Sea Shepherd vessels are expensive, so fishermen often harass the conservationists’ boats to try to get them back. — Mark Stevenson, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2021 The nets confiscated by Sea Shepherd vessels are expensive, so fishermen often harass the conservationists’ boats to try to get them back. — Mark Stevenson, ajc, 15 July 2021 The nets confiscated by Sea Shepherd vessels are expensive, so fishermen often harass the conservationists' boats to try to get them back. — Mark Stevenson, Star Tribune, 14 July 2021 Considering the millions in foreign aid the U.S. pours into Rwanda, American taxpayers are again underwriting a foreign power’s ability to harass, intimidate and abduct its critics. — Keir Pearson And Tom Zoellner, WSJ, 15 June 2021 Members of a far-right anti-government group also tried to follow and harass the woman after she was called to testify in von Ehlinger's ethics hearing. — Rebecca Boone, ajc, 21 July 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'harass.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near harass

haras

harass

harassedly

Statistics for harass

Last Updated

7 Sep 2021

Cite this Entry

“Harass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harass. Accessed 10 Sep. 2021.

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More Definitions for harass

harass

verb

English Language Learners Definition of harass

: to annoy or bother (someone) in a constant or repeated way

: to make repeated attacks against (an enemy)

See the full definition for harass in the English Language Learners Dictionary

harass

verb

ha·rass | \ hə-ˈras

, ˈher-əs \

harassed; harassing

Kids Definition of harass

1 : to annoy again and again

2 : to make repeated attacks against an enemy

harass

transitive verb

ha·rass | \ hə-ˈras, ˈhar-əs

Legal Definition of harass

: to subject persistently and wrongfully to annoying, offensive, or troubling behavior a collection agency harassing a debtor — see also sexual harassment