variants or chivvy

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

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 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 Abloh had booked a club and chivvied the throng to get down there. Luke Leitch, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chivy
Verb
  • The acting didn’t bother me, but the directing did.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
  • If the odds of winning the lottery are so low, why do people bother playing?
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Comments about my fast walk annoy me.
    Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Keanu, still annoyed from the veto ceremony, talked to Ava Pearl in the HOH room and called Rachel a liar.
    David Wysong, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Think flying in spring water to a Caribbean island because a female client thought the local water irritated her scalp.
    Louis J. Esterhazy, Footwear News, 7 Sep. 2025
  • However, Agnes is dressed exactly like Wednesday and her Single White Female act is irritating the hell out of her hero.
    Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Chivy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chivy. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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