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
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 Courtesy of Netflix Tracing the harassing emails In 2016, Angela and Ian were living together in a condo that Ian had owned with his ex-girlfriend Michelle. — Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 22 July 2026 The law, backed by Garner and Halle Berry, increased penalties for aggressively harassing or photographing minors because of their parents' occupations and allows parents to pursue civil damages against violators. — Charlie Carballo, USA Today, 22 July 2026 The group has since agreed to dissolve its nonprofit status, following a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James accusing its members of harassing Palestinians. — Jake Offenhartz, Fortune, 15 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
  • Rob remembers the first two days in the hospital as frightening and uncertain.
    — Lisa Hughes, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Chris Hemsworth's latest family vacation took a frightening turn when the actor found himself aboard a small plane caught in the middle of a lightning storm.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of frightening
Adjective
  • In The Athletic’s anonymous annual player poll, he has been voted the NFL’s biggest trash talker and most annoying player.
    — Tim Graham, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The problem is with my stepson’s parents-in-law, both of whom are lovely but annoying.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 29 July 2026
Definition of annoying
Verb
  • In March, Nebraska’s Morrill Fire tore through 642,000 acres to become the largest in state history, killing one person and razing vast stretches of cattle country.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • In 2016, wildlife officials closed 183 miles (295 kilometers) of the Yellowstone River to fishing, rafting and other activities to prevent a parasite suspected of killing tens of thousands of fish from spreading further in the low and warm water.
    — Matthew Brown, Fortune, 1 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
  • The warning was to never wash her hands while wearing the ring, because the eye could wash away.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • During the video, a person wearing a gorilla suit walked directly through the scene, stopped, beat their chest, and walked away.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of wearing
Adjective
  • The exhibit's visitors can get a chilling feel for the time, with full scale recreations of the annex rooms where Anne and her family hid from the Nazis.
    — Marie Saavedra, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • How to Pack a Cooler for Longer-Lasting Ice Start by pre-chilling the cooler and all the food and drinks before packing them.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 30 July 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 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on harassing

Nglish: Translation of harassing for Spanish Speakers

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