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 Officials previously said Scott told family members prior to her disappearance that someone was harassing her via phone, though Toczylowski declined to comment on whether King was the individual. Melina Khan, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025 Craig said investigators learned through Kada’s family and friends that in the days prior to her disappearance, unknown individuals had been harassing her via phone. Kyani Reid, NBC news, 14 Oct. 2025 In 16 minutes off the bench, Payton made all five of his shots and harassed any ballhandler he was assigned to. Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025 The defensive front harassed OU quarterback John Mateer consistently, sacking him five times. Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for harass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harass
Verb
  • However, the demon baby then proceeded to brutally rip apart and kill Teddy, Phil, and Susie, leaving only Lilly and Ronnie alive before the credits rolled.
    Megan McCluskey, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Israel’s offensive in Gaza, launched in response to the Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas’s attack on southern Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and laid waste to swaths of territory.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That’s the estimate for Coppola’s unique watch, which the Godfather director wore at the Cannes premiere of Megalopolis.
    Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Crews wear thermal base layers, overalls, and analog spacesuits when working outdoors.
    Rosanna Philpott, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The group exhausts and irritates opposing pitchers.
    Andy McCullough, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • However, the players named in the probe have already exhausted their eligibility.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As Snell continued to tire and miss his spots, Toronto’s opportunities kept flowing.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Plus, their fabric and fill are less likely to accrue that ever-darkening yellowish stain that tired goose down pillows acquire over time, thanks to sweat, oils, lotion residues, etc.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Harass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harass. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on harass

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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