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 Servers in the very busy Studio Bar at cocktail hour were attentive, if harried at times, and the bartenders mix great drinks. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026 The Antonelli hype is real Norris harried Antonelli for the rest of the 57-lap race, but the reigning world champion could not force the Mercedes sophomore into a fault. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 4 May 2026 There is a lot of work to do, but Hurley does not sound stressed or harried as in years past. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 15 Apr. 2026 She, too, was harried and didn’t devote enough time to self-care. — Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harry
Verb
  • On the next play, Bolden sacked Russell and thwarted the Crimson Tide’s chances of kicking a game-tying field goal.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Herbert was sacked five times with a fumble and an interception.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In an interview with Inside Edition on Tuesday, store owner Adam Rubin said that his store has been review-bombed since Clarkson took to social media and named the store, and employees and surrounding businesses have been harassed.
    — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Kirschner said that his staff has been overwhelmed with homeless individuals causing property damage and harassing customers.
    — Melody Xu, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • But there is very little archaeological evidence available, given that many of the earliest Egyptian tombs were plundered and/or hastily excavated.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In the sixties, artists such as Roy Lichtenstein and Peter Saul had plundered lowbrow visual culture for elemental materials.
    — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • By the time his daughter shows up, flanked by her mom and upright dentist stepdad, Lee’s moved on from scolding the room to thanking his mother for believing him.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • District of Columbia Judge Ana Reyes angrily scolded government attorneys in a hearing to block the government from cutting down more trees at East Potomac Golf Course.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • At least 24 vehicles were burned and shops looted as protests over a court ruling easing access to asylum turned violent in two South African cities on Thursday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • However, in the 7th century, this all vanished; the temples were abandoned and later looted, and Kea never again revived its trade or harbor settlements.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Patinkin is the latest star to voice his support for Digger after the film was savaged by many critics and bombed at the box office.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Or that in its wake, Ducks coach Dan Lanning had savaged him and his program multiple times.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Noguchi, Nakashima, and Amino were adults on February 19, 1942, when President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which forced Japanese American families to quickly abandon or destroy their property and board trains to the holding centers.
    — Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Refineries in Russia have been destroyed or damaged by drone attacks.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • He was admired by some as a charismatic statesman who put Italy on the world stage but reviled by others as a populist who used political power for personal gain.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • But for as much as Kirk was revered on the right, he was reviled on the left, facing pushback for comments disparaging immigrants and transgender people and questioning the qualifications and capabilities of women and Black Americans.
    — Elena Moore, NPR, 10 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Harry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harry. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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