1
as in frightening
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2
as in annoying
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Dissimilar Words
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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Example Sentences
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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
Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
While colectivo members were largely quiet immediately after Maduro’s abduction, some videos released on social media and news outlets have shown men believed to be colectivo members harassing reporters and people in the streets.
—Rebecca Hanson, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
Since the video was posted, Hasan, who is Somali, said his center has received harassing phone calls making staff members and parents feel unsafe.
—Charlotte Kramon, Twin Cities, 6 Jan. 2026
This advanced fee loan phishing scam often comes in the form of harassing phone calls and voicemails.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 Jan. 2026
He is charged with a handful of felonies and is facing up to life if found guilty of tampering or harassing a witness, victim or informant, according to the affidavit.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
He was accused of harassing the troops, though O'Hara disputed the claim.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
Kleinstreuer, who subsequently received harassing messages and death threats online, has required security protection.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
In July 2022, Avalos was convicted of felony stalking in Dakota County, Minnesota, after repeatedly contacting and harassing a victim in violation of state law.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
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
Student and faculty critics also accused the university of being too slow to respond to complaints about a rising star astrophysicist, Christian Ott, accused or harassing and discriminating against female graduate students as early as 2012.
—Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
While colectivo members were largely quiet immediately after Maduro’s abduction, some videos released on social media and news outlets have shown men believed to be colectivo members harassing reporters and people in the streets.
—Rebecca Hanson, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
Since the video was posted, Hasan, who is Somali, said his center has received harassing phone calls making staff members and parents feel unsafe.
—Charlotte Kramon, Twin Cities, 6 Jan. 2026
This advanced fee loan phishing scam often comes in the form of harassing phone calls and voicemails.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 Jan. 2026
He is charged with a handful of felonies and is facing up to life if found guilty of tampering or harassing a witness, victim or informant, according to the affidavit.
—Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
He was accused of harassing the troops, though O'Hara disputed the claim.
—Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
Kleinstreuer, who subsequently received harassing messages and death threats online, has required security protection.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
In July 2022, Avalos was convicted of felony stalking in Dakota County, Minnesota, after repeatedly contacting and harassing a victim in violation of state law.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harassing
Adjective
-
Experts immediately pointed out that Hassett had used a misleading method known as a cubic fit to make the mortality data appear less frightening.—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
-
When the sun went down, the Santa Anas began to blow, and the fire shifted into the familiar, frightening rhythm of inevitability.—
Jonathan Taplin,
Rolling Stone,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Meynecke said his footage suggested the whales found their hangers-on annoying.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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Thankfully, the best faux garlands offer the look and oftentimes feel of the real thing without the sticky sap or annoying cleanup.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The charges relate to his killing Scott Wonoski, 43, a fellow inmate at the Massachusetts Treatment Center in Bridgewater, in 2021.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
10 Jan. 2026
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Those on the right, determined to make the case that this was an officer killing in self-defense, should instead be beginning with this utter failure to protect the life of a civilian protester and de-escalate the situation through some means other than shooting a fellow American in the head.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
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
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The whole event was lousy with pestiferous Bible-banging.—
Charles P. Pierce,
Esquire,
12 Dec. 2017
Verb
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Some people even shared old photos of Indigenous peoples wearing the hoods, noting that the originators of the design kept the fur outward to break cold wind and trap snow.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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Chavez posted a photo of Gregory Bovino walking down 33rd Street and Portland Avenue, flanked by three agents wearing masks.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Army nurse Holley Lynn James' disappearance in 2008 would set off a chilling investigation that would unravel into a case marked by fire, secrets and deception.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
7 Nov. 2025
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One student asked what the justices would say to those who feel Kirk’s shooting had a chilling effect on conservative speech on campus.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Tan carpeting ran up the walls and windows to keep out the sun and any inquisitive eyes.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
31 Dec. 2025
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My core goal every year is always to level up as a father, husband, friend and colleague — a task made much more accomplishable by my endlessly inquisitive six-year-old daughter and phenomenal wife.—
Becky Bartkowski,
AZCentral.com,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
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This helps each step feel lighter and easier, diminishing fatigue and letting the wearer venture out farther without tiring.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 Dec. 2025
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This constant barrage overshadows the self-care experience, hijacking my focus and frankly, tiring me out.—
Caelan McMichael,
Allure,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harassing. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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