harissa

noun

ha·​ris·​sa hə-ˈri-sə How to pronounce harissa (audio)
: a spicy North African paste made from dried chilies, salt, oil, and other seasonings
Roast chicken slathered in fiery Moroccan harissa is served with a bright orange dollop of carrot purée …Margot Dougherty

Examples of harissa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Flaky phyllo dough is filled with zesty harissa sauce and halloumi cheese and sprinkled with breadcrumbs and paprika for a savory bite-sized snack. Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026 Trader Joe’s harissa paste, which is sourced from a Tunisian supplier, is smooth and spreadable, with a slightly smoky, spicy flavor. Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Dec. 2025 The carrot and cumin salad, as well as the braised lamb with olives and harissa, were also clear favorites. Lea Donenberg, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025 Don’t have harissa sauce in your cabinet? Cheyenne Buckingham, SELF, 21 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for harissa

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & North African Arabic; French harissa, borrowed from North African Arabic harīsa "dish of ground meat and bulgur or couscous, paste made from chili peppers and spices," derivative of Arabic harasa "crush, bruise, pound"

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of harissa was in 1970

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Cite this Entry

“Harissa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harissa. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

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