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
  • And as Pulisic’s private jet made its way from Italy to New York, the club’s coach, sporting director and two other top executives were sacked.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
  • The Giants were inside the 25-yard line when Manning was sacked for a short loss with a minute left.
    Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2026
Verb
  • Influencer Anna Sofía Benítez Silvente, known on social media as Anna Bensi, is constantly harassed by Cuba’s political police and was placed under house arrest in March.
    Sarah Moreno June 5, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026
  • Police accused Andrea Bucci of harassing a 16-year-old youth ice hockey referee over a call during a game in July 2025.
    Ricky Sayer, CBS News, 6 June 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
  • In July 1936, anarchists set fire to the church’s crypt and broke into the architect’s workshop before destroying many of his plans and plaster models.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
  • The Russian president, who has never acknowledged that Ukraine is a legitimate country, or that Zelensky is its legitimate president, could continue to bomb Ukrainian cities, hoping to destroy the electrical grid and make the country unlivable.
    Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 7 June 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

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Cite this Entry

“Harry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harry. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

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