harass

worry, annoy, harass, harry, plague, pester, tease mean to disturb or irritate by persistent acts. worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation.

• • pursued a policy of worrying the enemy

annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks.

• • you're doing that just to annoy me

harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power.

• • harassed on all sides by creditors

harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment.

• • the strikers had been harried by thugs

plague implies a painful and persistent affliction.

• • plagued all her life by poverty

pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks.

• • constantly pestered with trivial complaints

tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath.

• • children teased the dog