harass

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

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 harass The Justice Department said McMahon took additional steps to harass the man, like researching his daughter's university residence and college major. Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025 Jason tells us that Jax has been harassing all the guys in the group chat to support his party. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2025 Journalists have been intimidated, threatened, harassed. Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2025 The school is accused of not acting to stop the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) group on its campus — along with faculty and other activists — from harassing Jewish and Israeli students, or those who appear to belong to either group. Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for harass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harass
Verb
  • Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to federal charges in CEO killing Judge Margaret Garnett asked for an explanation, which federal prosecutors provided in a court filing.
    Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2025
  • As The Free Radical noted this week, at least 100 trans people were murdered across Brazil in 2023; another 65 were killed between January and September 2024, according to the international nonprofit Transgender Europe.
    Samantha Riedel, Them., 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Famously, stage and film star Sir Sean Connery openly discussed wearing a headpiece in all of his James Bond roles.
    Rhiannon Frater, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Inter won a free kick in the first minute of the second half — and Chivu, who wore a sporadically unclasped rugby scrum cap during the game, blasted it wide from 40 yards out, emphasising their total disinterest in mounting any meaningful attack.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Dominate a single platform Many entrepreneurs exhaust themselves trying to maintain presence across every social channel, newsletter platform, and podcast directory.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • The gorilla could easily maim several men before being exhausted.
    Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Sophomore Madison Booker can match Hidalgo and Miles shot-for-shot, and Texas’ defensive pressure frequently tires opponents.
    Ben Pickman, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The lack of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood from poor circulation can cause the muscles to tire sooner and can create feelings of exhaustion.
    Jane Kim, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Harass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harass. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on harass

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