Synonyms of chivy

chivy

verb

ˈchi-vē 

variants or chivvy

as in to bother

to thrust oneself upon (another) without invitation

a boss with a reputation for chivying his workers about every little thing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bother
• annoy
• irritate
• pester
• worry
• disturb
• intrude (upon)
• bug
• vex
• aggravate
• harass
• dog
• exasperate
• bedevil
• torment
• rile
• irk
• devil
• beset
• trouble
• dun
• chafe
• distress
• gnaw
• rankle
• besiege
• persecute
• inconvenience
• afflict
• provoke
• grate
• beleaguer
• antagonize
• pique
• anger
• fret
• perturb
• gall
• roil
• infuriate
• plague
• obtrude
• outrage
• nettle
• agitate
• put out
• inflame
• enrage
• hassle
• invade
• encroach
• trespass
• cut in (on)
• rasp
• get
• infringe
• butt in
• peeve
• enflame
• madden
• incense

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• forget
• slight
• leave
• disregard
• oblige
• placate
• appease
• disarm
• please
• satisfy
• gratify
• delight
• mollify
• conciliate
• content
• comfort
• console
• gladden

Synonym Chooser

How is the word chivy distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of chivy are badger, bait, heckle, hector, and hound. While all these words mean "to harass by efforts to break down," chivy suggests persecution by teasing or nagging.

chivied the new student mercilessly

When is it sensible to use badger instead of chivy?

The words badger and chivy can be used in similar contexts, but badger implies pestering so as to drive a person to confusion or frenzy.

badgered her father for a car

When is bait a more appropriate choice than chivy?

While the synonyms bait and chivy are close in meaning, bait implies wanton cruelty or delight in persecuting a helpless victim.

baited the chained dog

When would heckle be a good substitute for chivy?

The words heckle and chivy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, heckle implies persistent annoying or belligerent interruptions of a speaker.

drunks heckled the stand-up comic

When can hector be used instead of chivy?

While in some cases nearly identical to chivy, hector carries an implication of bullying and domineering.

football players hectored by their coach

In what contexts can hound take the place of chivy?

In some situations, the words hound and chivy are roughly equivalent. However, hound implies unrelenting pursuit and harassing.

hounded by creditors

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of chivy

Chelsea had chivied and harried and unnerved Real Madrid, the reigning European champion. —Rory Smith, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2023

For smaller losses, says David Gluckman, Lumkani’s boss, policyholders often have to be chivvied into claiming. —The Economist, 22 Aug. 2019

But radium was rare and costly, with tiny quantities hoarded and chivvied between nations for experiments. —New York Times, 28 Aug. 2019

After becoming prime minister in 2014, Narendra Modi chivvied bankers to open accounts for everyone. —The Economist, 6 June 2019

Abloh had booked a club and chivvied the throng to get down there. —Luke Leitch, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2019

The rich world should focus its attention—and resources, including charity—on chivvying them along. —The Economist, 1 Mar. 2018

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