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 actor asked fans on a Facebook page to stop harassing McNelis online. Vandana Pawa, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025 Mike Pruitt, who is accused of harassing and buying alcohol for a 17-year-old girl, has not been criminally charged. Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025 Some people harassed her sister-in-law after the attack, Hamilton said. Dave Boucher, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025 The third-term sheriff is accused of repeatedly harassing his female subordinates and threatening his chief deputy to keep it quiet. Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for harass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harass
Verb
  • Tom is torn between loyalty to his dead wife and love for the estranged son who killed her.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
  • How many people did Ed Gein kill in real life?
    JR Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The evidence that Song was the shooter comes from a green mask the assailant wore from which samples that tested positive for Song’s DNA were taken and from interviews with cooperating sources, FBI Special Agent Clark Wiethorn testified at the hearing.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
  • In a recent campaign ad, Van Epps wears an Army uniform throughout the entire ad with patches and insignia removed.
    Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Given how many comebacks the Pacers had in the playoffs, there is some evidence that all that pressure (plus a relentless offensive pace) exhausts teams over 48 minutes.
    Eric Koreen, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Dassey, now 35, has exhausted his appeal efforts.
    Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Incoming waves in rapid succession can tire even an experienced swimmer quickly.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Ali covered his face and tried to absorb Frazier’s metronomic body blows, aiming to tire him.
    Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Harass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harass. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on harass

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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