hound 1 of 2

1
2
3
4

hound

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word hound distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of hound are badger, bait, chivy, heckle, and hector. While all these words mean "to harass by efforts to break down," hound implies unrelenting pursuit and harassing.

hounded by creditors

When could badger be used to replace hound?

The words badger and hound can be used in similar contexts, but badger implies pestering so as to drive a person to confusion or frenzy.

badgered her father for a car

Where would bait be a reasonable alternative to hound?

While the synonyms bait and hound are close in meaning, bait implies wanton cruelty or delight in persecuting a helpless victim.

baited the chained dog

When is it sensible to use chivy instead of hound?

Although the words chivy and hound have much in common, chivy suggests persecution by teasing or nagging.

chivied the new student mercilessly

In what contexts can heckle take the place of hound?

The words heckle and hound are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, heckle implies persistent annoying or belligerent interruptions of a speaker.

drunks heckled the stand-up comic

When can hector be used instead of hound?

While in some cases nearly identical to hound, hector carries an implication of bullying and domineering.

football players hectored by their coach

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 hound
Noun
In addition, the hound is also making an appearance on the company’s Original Polo Button-down Oxford shirt, offered in two colors: white or blue stripes, as well as on a white graphic T-shirt, a gray sweatshirt and a navy baseball cap. Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025 In a market where there is a colloquial term for consumers who want their spirits bottled at the highest strength possible (proof hounds), this low-strength whiskey is a bold move. Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
Jones was part of a defense that pressured and hounded Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, contributing two quarterback hurries, a tackle for loss and deflected pass. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025 Italian city imposes a tourist tax on dogs Dog owners visiting the Italian city of Bolzano will be hounded for taxes to offset the cost of street cleaning and to fund new parks. Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hound
Noun
  • The American Kennel Club stresses that keeping a consistent routine is important for dogs at every stage of life.
    Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The Del Mar Foundation invites the dogs of Del Mar and their humans to attend the fun and free Annual Halloween Dog Parade & Costume Competition.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • More than 50 cats were submitted for The Star’s cutest cat contest, from tortoiseshells to Birman cats and everything in between — and your submissions have definitely stolen the hearts of the cat lovers in our newsroom.
    Eden Dinneen, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Fried chicken lovers visiting a Popeyes drive-thru in Florida were unwittingly paying a prison inmate’s commissary fees, according to investigators.
    Mark Price, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Yet if the Dodgers are to be cast as villains from the Book of Samuel, Toronto brought to the fight far more than pebbles.
    Andy McCullough, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The family moved to Hollywood 10 years later, and Gene Lockhart worked steadily as a character actor, usually in avuncular roles, sometimes as a villain.
    NPR, NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Jays capitalized on the Dodgers’ weak middle relief after chasing starter Blake Snell in the sixth inning to bust open a massive lead.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • At Longy, while classmates entered competitions and chased prestigious symphony positions, Wasefi spoke of returning to Afghanistan’s provinces to teach music.
    Vidushi Mishti Sharma, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Porat closed by urging leaders to really dig in and reimagine what’s possible in their own organizations.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Anyone with information regarding this incident was urged to contact the Chandler Police Department at 480-782-4130.
    Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Remove any shoots and suckers that appear on the trunk or near the roots, and get rid of crossing or dead branches.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Fresno was the right sparring partner at the wrong time, a sucker that rolled into Canvas three weeks too late.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • An extermination of the brutes in the Middle East, presided over by Obama’s successors, has been followed by a swift cancellation by Trumpian decree of the postracial age.
    Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Each fits into typical RPG classes — with Armon being the close combat brute, Harlow the magical crowd control specialist, Rafa the agile rogue, and Vex serving as a summoner who calls on minions to do the dirty work.
    George Yang, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Stop Sales sent the raw chicken, cut cow foot and jerk sauce into the garbage.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Because even in a world of monsters, ghouls, and greedy jerks, the good guys still prevail.
    Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hound. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on hound

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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