harry

Definition of harrynext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb harry contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of harry are annoy, harass, pester, plague, tease, and worry. While all these words mean "to disturb or irritate by persistent acts," harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment.

the strikers had been harried by thugs

When can annoy be used instead of harry?

The words annoy and harry are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks.

you're doing that just to annoy me

Where would harass be a reasonable alternative to harry?

While the synonyms harass and harry are close in meaning, harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power.

harassed on all sides by creditors

When might pester be a better fit than harry?

The words pester and harry can be used in similar contexts, but pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks.

constantly pestered with trivial complaints

When would plague be a good substitute for harry?

The synonyms plague and harry are sometimes interchangeable, but plague implies a painful and persistent affliction.

plagued all her life by poverty

When is it sensible to use tease instead of harry?

While in some cases nearly identical to harry, tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath.

children teased the dog

In what contexts can worry take the place of harry?

The meanings of worry and harry largely overlap; however, worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation.

pursued a policy of worrying the enemy

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of harry For newbies: Orphaned after the death of their parents, 6-year-old Lilo (Maia Kealoha), ostracized at school, is being raised by her devoted but harried teenage sister Nani (Sydney Agudong), nearing the age of adult guardianship. Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025 These broken objects, and others like them, feed into my general sense of being harried, overburdened, and middle-aged. Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 6 May 2025 Bullets, bombs and electronic warfare harry both man and machine. Colin Demarest, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025 Here’s how the individual snaps were divided: Quarterback: Brock Purdy 59, Joshua Dobbs 5 One of the pregame storylines was how harried Purdy might be behind a makeshift offensive line. Matt Barrows, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for harry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harry
Verb
  • He was sacked a league-leading 55 times and threw the most interceptions (17) while the Raiders finished tied for the worst record (3-14).
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Some vocal Brighton supporters called for Hurzeler to be sacked after a 1-0 home defeat by rivals Crystal Palace on February 8.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Nordquist says the suspect has been harassing her and other residents for weeks.
    Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
  • One in six says staff have been harassed in church.
    Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Critics contend the industry plunders distressed companies, leading to downsizing and cost-cutting that hurts local communities, though other research has pushed back on that reputation.
    Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Before being definitively plundered, the museum was home to the most comprehensive Nubian archaeological collection in the world.
    News Desk, Artforum, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Security guard Pascal Duvier, most recently infamous for allegedly scolding 11-year-old Ada Law at a hotel in São Paulo, is clearing the air.
    Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The drama erupted last weekend when Jorginho went on Instagram Stories to say that his stepdaughter and wife were scolded at the São Paulo hotel for getting too close to Roan.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • With the aid of French citizens, the Nazis looted more than 38,000 private apartments in the capital, and as many as 25,000 empty apartments that had been home to Jewish families were rented to non-Jewish tenants.
    Shannon Fogg, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
  • One world-famous example of an item of value allegedly looted from India is the Koh-i-noor diamond.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • We’ve been dealt a nigh-unbearable hand when two of our communities were utterly savaged by fire.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
  • For months, the two right-wing media stars had been savaging each other on their respective platforms.
    Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Later, a fire at Hall’s grandmother’s house would destroy most of his magic act.
    Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
  • This time around, in that first wave of strikes on February 28, American cruise missiles targeted and destroyed a building that ended up being a girls’ school—killing more than 168 young children who had just started their day of classes.
    Connor Okeeffe, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Even Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller — reviled by many as the architect of the harshest ICE policies — took advantage of the humanizing aspect of being associated with Elvis.
    John Beifuss, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 23 Mar. 2026
  • At a time when Black American culture is being reviled and denigrated throughout much of public life, this unapologetic expression of joy in outdoor winter activities is an enduring tribute to the resilience of people whose pursuit of happiness will not be denied.
    James Edward Mills, Outside, 15 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Harry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harry. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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