harassing 1 of 2

adjective

1
as in frightening

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2
as in annoying

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Dissimilar Words

harassing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of harass
as in killing
to use up all the physical energy of had been visibly harassed by the demands of the presidency

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 harassing
Adjective
The first complaint, in which a clerk made similar accusations of abusive and harassing conduct, was filed with the circuit court in 2022, not long after Merriam’s appointment. — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2026 The line is crossed when someone’s conduct at work becomes disrespectful, harassing, intimidating, discriminatory, or disruptive to the team. — Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025
Verb
The Houthis declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia last month and have been routinely harassing shipping since. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 Aug. 2026 The gang may also use threatening messages or harassing phone calls. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026 In January 2023, the victim began to receive harassing phone calls, texts and messages across several social media applications from Willis, the document said. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026 Moreno asked the Ohio judge overseeing the case to grant a restraining order that would prohibit Miller from harassing, physically touching, and/or verbally or electronically threatening Moreno’s counsel. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 Baldoni denied ever harassing Lively or retaliating against her. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 31 July 2026 The harassing message arrived with a timestamp and an author attached. — Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 Stout started the day back in Upper Bidwell Park by drunkenly harassing bathers at the Bear Hole swimming area, prosecutors said. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026 More harassment, then eviction Within a year of his release, Henrichsen had returned to harassing and scaring his neighbors, according to a request for a restraining order filed in May 2023. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harassing
  1. frightening
  2. annoying
  3. killing
  4. persecutory
  5. pestiferous
  6. wearing
  7. chilling
  8. inquisitive
Adjective
  • And what is perhaps most frightening, in those despondent moments that inevitably follow the exhilarating rush, is the realization that this enveloping abyss retains the imprint of our actions.
    — Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The video quickly sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with many viewers expressing relief that the ride's safety restraints appeared to do their job despite the frightening ordeal.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of frightening
Adjective
  • Edward Hoke is an ingratiating, appropriately annoying and attractive Blaze.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Cloobeck, 64, was arrested in May and charged with three counts of attempting to dissuade a witness from testifying and one count of harassment for making annoying phone calls, according to a criminal complaint.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of annoying
Verb
  • Prosecutors say after killing her children, Clancy cut her wrists and neck and jumped from a second-story window, leaving her partially paralyzed.
    — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Militants affiliated with the Islamic State group attacked a village in Congo near the border with Uganda early Saturday, killing at least 13 people and burning and looting homes, a local civil society group said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of killing
Adjective
  • For example, Americans living during World War II developed persecutory delusions involving Germans, while those living during the Cold War focused on communists.
    — Alaina Vandervoort Burns, The Conversation, 17 Dec. 2025
Definition of persecutory
Adjective
  • After the Thirty Years’ War (1618-48), the Dutch were probably eager for reminders of ordinary domestic life, even pestiferous ones, and for images of quiet and tenderness.
    — Willard Spiegelman, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2017
  • Disease relies on a variety of pestiferous vectors for the transmission of infective bacteria.
    — Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 31 May 2016
Definition of pestiferous
Verb
  • Some more images show Kidman, Bullock, 62, King, 26, and Williams, 29, wearing flowing gowns while hooked onto wires, seemingly filming a scene that involves flying, in front of a blue screen.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
  • For centuries, India’s rulers treasured these precious stones, decorating their palaces, thrones, and crowns with them, and wearing them in lavish displays of wealth and opulence.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of wearing
Adjective
  • Those words have taken on a chilling resonance as commenters debate whether Hilton deserves sympathy.
    — Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Thalidomide’s failure had a chilling effect on progress toward a treatment.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of chilling
Adjective
  • Growing out of your expert image means becoming the most inquisitive and empowering person in the room instead of the most impressive one.
    — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • With his caring heart, inquisitive mind, and joyful spirit, Adam has so much to offer.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 29 July 2026
Definition of inquisitive

Browse Nearby Words

harasses
harassing
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Cite this Entry

“Harassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harassing. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on harassing

Nglish: Translation of harassing for Spanish Speakers

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