Synonyms of harass

harass

verb

hə-ˈras 

as in to wear

to use up all the physical energy of

had been visibly harassed by the demands of the presidency

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wear
• exhaust
• tire
• burn out
• drain
• bust
• weary
• break
• knock out
• kill
• wear out
• waste
• wash out
• fatigue
• weaken
• fag
• frazzle
• tucker (out)
• do in
• debilitate
• outwear
• do up
• wear to a frazzle
• enervate
• enfeeble
• sap

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• activate
• strengthen
• energize
• rest
• invigorate
• relax
• rejuvenate
• vitalize
• unwind

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb harass contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of harass are annoy, harry, pester, plague, tease, and worry. While all these words mean "to disturb or irritate by persistent acts," harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power.

harassed on all sides by creditors

Where would annoy be a reasonable alternative to harass?

While in some cases nearly identical to harass, annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks.

you're doing that just to annoy me

When could harry be used to replace harass?

The words harry and harass are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment.

the strikers had been harried by thugs

When might pester be a better fit than harass?

In some situations, the words pester and harass are roughly equivalent. However, pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks.

constantly pestered with trivial complaints

When is it sensible to use plague instead of harass?

The words plague and harass can be used in similar contexts, but plague implies a painful and persistent affliction.

plagued all her life by poverty

When can tease be used instead of harass?

While the synonyms tease and harass are close in meaning, tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath.

children teased the dog

When would worry be a good substitute for harass?

Although the words worry and harass have much in common, worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation.

pursued a policy of worrying the enemy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of harass

Tyler Muehl, 18, who lives in the San Diego seaside neighborhood of La Jolla, entered his plea in a federal courtroom to a misdemeanor violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act’s prohibition on harassing wildlife, the Justice Department said. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Those who refuse to divest are harassed outside their homes and targeted personally, as are members of the Jewish community who dare to speak out. — Dr. Andrew M. Hutter, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026

Muehl pleaded guilty to knowingly and unlawfully taking a marine mammal by harassing and hunting it. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026

Lang has visited Dearborn before and was seen walking around the streets and going to city council meetings, shouting Islamophobic rhetoric and harassing residents. — Heath Kalb, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026