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
  • Lopetegui was sacked by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) the next day and replaced by Fernando Hierro.
    Jay Harris, New York Times, 2 June 2026
  • Opponents sacked Herbert 54 times last season, a career high.
    Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • Pratt alleged that volunteers have been bullied, harassed, and have been trying to get Bass’s attention.
    Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2026
  • In a press release last September, the DOJ announced that a 68-year-old Santa Monica man, Gregory John Curcio, was charged with doxing and harassing an ICE lawyer.
    Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • But Texas Tech isn't the only program from the Lone Star State whose commit list LSU is plundering.
    Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
  • Later on, plundering Barbary pirates raided Mallorca, looting possessions, slaughtering inhabitants and capturing others for the slave trade.
    Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • Publicly, Ingoglia has become known for barnstorming the state to hold choreographed press conferences scolding cities and counties for wasteful spending.
    Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026
  • Messi seemed to scold La Familia at one point with a finger wag aimed in their direction, showing his displeasure with their protest.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Police stopped the violence there that night, but more racist beatings and looting erupted downtown.
    USA Today, USA Today, 2 June 2026
  • Russia utilizes short-term instability to essentially loot developing countries to prop up its own beleaguered economy, which is dragged down by sanctions.
    Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Verb
  • Shortly after Warren went after Schatz, the neo-Brandeisian network savaged him as a mouthpiece for private equity.
    Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
  • Though the film included input – and an onscreen role – from the legendary Gene Kelly, it was savaged by critics.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Fueled by large stocks of critically dry vegetation and extreme winds, the fires killed 31 people, destroyed nearly 12,000 homes, and forced over 150,000 evacuations.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 31 May 2026
  • But satellite images reviewed by CNN show how Iran has used simple equipment such as bulldozers and dump trucks to counter those costly campaigns — suggesting that Tehran’s missile capabilities can’t be destroyed just by targeting tunnel entrances, experts said.
    Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • The spiny, long-legged, and often reviled cockroach has become an unlikely symbol of dissent among India’s Gen Z, in a sharp rebuke to the ruling establishment in the world’s largest democracy.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 May 2026
  • At a time when a majority of the country disapproves of—or actively reviles—the president, his name alone could end up limiting the program’s success.
    Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Harry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harry. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on harry

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster