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 Prosecutors say the Mississippi man had been harassing Aniston with a flood of voicemail, email and social media messages for two years before driving into her gate on Monday. Andrew Dalton, Twin Cities, 8 May 2025 According to Castro's statement, McEuen had repeatedly harassed the Martinez family and told them Hispanics were not welcome in Kaufman County. Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 7 May 2025 Black men who exercised the right to vote—granted by the 15th Amendment—faced the risk of being harassed, beaten, and killed. Time, 5 May 2025 Page, who has been staying at a shelter in Harlem and has a history of incidents in which he was classified as emotionally disturbed, harassed the women in under an hour, striking first around 12:10 p.m. on W. 32nd St. between Sixth and Seventh Aves., near Madison Square Garden. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for harass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harass
Verb
  • After a preliminary investigation, authorities determined the father fatally stabbed his sons and wife before killing himself.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • Navigating Pricing Complexity Pricing complexity can kill B2B growth.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Going from wearing costumes to wearing a badge is not your typical path.
    Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 11 May 2025
  • Some, including Yamal, covered themselves with their hoodies and strategically wore headphones over their ears.
    Pol Ballús, New York Times, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • To the elderly and those already exhausted by their efforts to get this far, this simply became an insurmountable barrier.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 May 2025
  • After exhausting the questions, Witt posed for a picture with the entire class.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • Rather than tiring the players out, the Conference League has given Maresca more opportunity to rotate and give everyone game time, therefore keeping fringe members happier.
    Simon Johnson, New York Times, 2 May 2025
  • Part of that was due to Bergoglio’s age, 76; the cardinals were believed wary of choosing someone who might tire and, like Benedict, throw in the towel after just a few years.
    Henry Chu, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Harass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harass. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on harass

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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