harry

Definition of harrynext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb harry contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of harry are annoy, harass, pester, plague, tease, and worry. While all these words mean "to disturb or irritate by persistent acts," harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment.

the strikers had been harried by thugs

When can annoy be used instead of harry?

The words annoy and harry are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks.

you're doing that just to annoy me

Where would harass be a reasonable alternative to harry?

While the synonyms harass and harry are close in meaning, harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power.

harassed on all sides by creditors

When might pester be a better fit than harry?

The words pester and harry can be used in similar contexts, but pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks.

constantly pestered with trivial complaints

When would plague be a good substitute for harry?

The synonyms plague and harry are sometimes interchangeable, but plague implies a painful and persistent affliction.

plagued all her life by poverty

When is it sensible to use tease instead of harry?

While in some cases nearly identical to harry, tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath.

children teased the dog

In what contexts can worry take the place of harry?

The meanings of worry and harry largely overlap; however, worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation.

pursued a policy of worrying the enemy

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 harry For newbies: Orphaned after the death of their parents, 6-year-old Lilo (Maia Kealoha), ostracized at school, is being raised by her devoted but harried teenage sister Nani (Sydney Agudong), nearing the age of adult guardianship. Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025 These broken objects, and others like them, feed into my general sense of being harried, overburdened, and middle-aged. Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 6 May 2025 Bullets, bombs and electronic warfare harry both man and machine. Colin Demarest, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025 Here’s how the individual snaps were divided: Quarterback: Brock Purdy 59, Joshua Dobbs 5 One of the pregame storylines was how harried Purdy might be behind a makeshift offensive line. Matt Barrows, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for harry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harry
Verb
  • Thus, Albuquerque recaptured and sacked the city of Goa.
    Sanat Pai RaikarAll, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Apr. 2026
  • The pieces were on loan from a Bucharest museum, whose head was promptly sacked for lending the works out in the first place.
    CBS News, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The following year, the club were made aware of footage of two male Bournemouth supporters intervening after witnessing a woman being harassed on public transport.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
  • In 2017, Matthew Herrick sued the dating app Grindr after his ex-boyfriend used fake profiles to harass Herrick and send hundreds of strangers to his home.
    Shannon Bond, NPR, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But the sea lies in a region of the Golden State where there are already numerous environmental concerns, and some residents worry that plundering for lithium could exacerbate the problem.
    Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Critics contend the industry plunders distressed companies, leading to downsizing and cost-cutting that hurts local communities, though other research has pushed back on that reputation.
    Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • When the second player protested the contact, Nicholson scolded the player, according to one parent.
    Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 9 Apr. 2026
  • What starts as a playful, casual parlor game suddenly turns incredibly dark, not just because of Emma’s confession but by Rachel’s sudden turn from loyal friend to judgmental scold.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Richard Schmeelk died at age 97 in May 2022 — but Corona kept on looting his widow’s accounts, according to court records.
    Kamaron McNair,Dan Mangan, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The trio stripped down and left little to the imagination in their lingerie, raided the liquor cabinet, soaked in a bubble bath, stole a Grammy and cannonballed into a pool — all while looting the house for cash and jewels.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Chronic disease programs, in particular, have been savaged, whether those programs have been focused on oral health or tobacco control, to name a few.
    Helen Branswell, STAT, 30 Mar. 2026
  • We’ve been dealt a nigh-unbearable hand when two of our communities were utterly savaged by fire.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Toxins build up and start to destroy the kidneys and liver.
    Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Renowned for its beauty and ability to attract butterflies, butterfly bush (Buddleia) can spread quickly and outcompete and destroy native plants.
    SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • While Senesh was hailed as a hero, Kastner was reviled and assassinated by his own countrymen for negotiating with the Nazis.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Even Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller — reviled by many as the architect of the harshest ICE policies — took advantage of the humanizing aspect of being associated with Elvis.
    John Beifuss, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 23 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Harry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harry. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.

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