1
as in frightening
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2
as in annoying
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as in killing
to use up all the physical energy of
had been visibly harassed by the demands of the presidency
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Recent Examples of harassing
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
Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
Lytvynchuk is charged with harassing and attempting to harass an endangered Hawaiian monk seal.
—CBS News, 14 May 2026
Lytvynchuk is charged with harassing and attempting to harass an endangered Hawaiian monk seal.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
During a motions hearing in May 2024, prosectors presented evidence of Bryant having a history of harassing and stalking young women, even breaking into their apartments, per 11 Alive.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Monday night when the teen suspect and two friends woke him up and began harassing him, at one point urinating in a cup and throwing it on the victim, according to prosecutors citing surveillance footage.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
California must pursue any and all options to keep ICE or federal troops from occupying our state and harassing our communities, especially with racially targeted and unconstitutional tactics.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
That same day, Julie Harding was arrested in Kentucky on suspicion of criminal trespassing after allegedly harassing her husband’s girlfriend.
—Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
Baldoni, who directed the film and starred in it with Lively, had denied harassing her or orchestrating a smear campaign.
—Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
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 attorney for a businessman accused of harassing an endangered Hawaiian monk seal is publicly defending his client after a viral video captured the incident and sparked outrage online.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
Lytvynchuk is charged with harassing and attempting to harass an endangered Hawaiian monk seal.
—CBS News, 14 May 2026
Lytvynchuk is charged with harassing and attempting to harass an endangered Hawaiian monk seal.
—ABC News, 13 May 2026
During a motions hearing in May 2024, prosectors presented evidence of Bryant having a history of harassing and stalking young women, even breaking into their apartments, per 11 Alive.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026
Monday night when the teen suspect and two friends woke him up and began harassing him, at one point urinating in a cup and throwing it on the victim, according to prosecutors citing surveillance footage.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
California must pursue any and all options to keep ICE or federal troops from occupying our state and harassing our communities, especially with racially targeted and unconstitutional tactics.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
That same day, Julie Harding was arrested in Kentucky on suspicion of criminal trespassing after allegedly harassing her husband’s girlfriend.
—Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
Baldoni, who directed the film and starred in it with Lively, had denied harassing her or orchestrating a smear campaign.
—Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harassing
Adjective
-
Such obsession can be a frightening emotion both for the person experiencing it and for the target.—
Alex Barasch,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Even more frightening is a judge apologizing to an assassin who risked the lives of 2,000 people while attempting to assassinate the president and his cabinet.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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At the same time, workplace politics could feel extra stressful and annoying, especially if someone becomes threatened by your confidence.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
-
The predatory add-ons were annoying.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Minutes later, Marrero slammed into Trainor's unmarked SUV, killing both men.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
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His support of wolves, including a Mexican wolf breeding program on the Ladder Ranch in New Mexico, drew the ire of ranching organizations that were raising the alarm about wild wolves killing livestock.—
Susan Montoya Bryan,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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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
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Structured as entries in Emily’s field journal, the novel lays out her aims, her curmudgeonly nature and her pestiferous relationship with one Wendell Bambleby — a charismatic fellow researcher and sometime rival who Emily suspects is a fairy himself.—
Amal El-Mohtar,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2023
-
The whole event was lousy with pestiferous Bible-banging.—
Charles P. Pierce,
Esquire,
12 Dec. 2017
Verb
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On her lunch break, mama walks us over to the library still wearing her scrubs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
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Laneda taught Sunday school, and her sons were Cornerstone ushers, wearing white gloves and delivering a welcome address to visitors at the start of Sunday services.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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As Nikki transforms from an ordinary young woman into an unhinged force willing to do anything to keep Bear to herself, Navarrette delivers a seamless and chilling performance that has quickly positioned her as one of horror’s most exciting new talents.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
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There’s probably a smart, chilling film to be made about the terrors of smothering and relentless adoration — one imagines what Rod Serling would have done with something like this — but this isn’t really that film.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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The group, loosely led by inquisitive ginger breed Lily (voiced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and good-natured merino Mopple (Chris O’Dowd) enjoy a peaceful existence, with their favorite pastimes consisting of laying in the grass and listening to George read a nightly murder mystery story.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
8 May 2026
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As a child, Signe was bright, curious, and inquisitive.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Harassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harassing. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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