harassing 1 of 2

harassing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of harass

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
Powerless even against the most run-of-the-mill villains, the men casually harassing her at the diner. Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026 The settlers, emboldened by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government, have ramped up attacks on Palestinian towns and villages, harassing residents and setting homes, mosques and fields ablaze. Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 Tyler Muehl, 18, who lives in the San Diego seaside neighborhood of La Jolla, entered his plea in a federal courtroom to a misdemeanor violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act’s prohibition on harassing wildlife, the Justice Department said. Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026 Muehl pleaded guilty to knowingly and unlawfully taking a marine mammal by harassing and hunting it. Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026 Lang has visited Dearborn before and was seen walking around the streets and going to city council meetings, shouting Islamophobic rhetoric and harassing residents. Heath Kalb, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 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 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 Baldoni denied ever harassing Lively or retaliating against her. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 31 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harassing
Adjective
  • But the ordeal was frightening and bewildering for Cliffel, who still didn't know what had caused her behavior.
    Deborah Becker, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026
  • There’s a frightening imbalance in how the mainstream media report on these candidates, which tends to take it pretty easy on the latter.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Dimes Square has like an annoying stereotype — people are kind of like, uh, jeans and a tank top.
    Zach Schiffman, Curbed, 21 Aug. 2026
  • When Mel arrives, all hell breaks loose, but at least the perpetually charming Fisher is up for the task of playing someone who is both completely annoying and totally winning.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Such attacks are common in Nigeria, where multiple armed groups operate, killing and kidnapping people for ransom.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Plane crash in Alaska A charter plane carrying eight people crashed near a remote radar site in western Alaska, killing everyone on board.
    Irene Byon, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2026
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
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
Verb
  • Tete was in his car outside his home last week when men wearing balaclavas opened fire, police said.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Social media videos have popped up showing young women on scooters wearing helmets, but no headscarves.
    Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • George Orwell’s dystopian classic blends political and science fiction into a chilling panorama of high-level surveillance and manipulation.
    Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026
  • In August 2026, Paramount+ revealed that season 4 will premiere in November 2026 and shared a chilling teaser of what’s to come.
    Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
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

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Cite this Entry

“Harassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harassing. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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