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hound

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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
This also lines up with the DNR’s data, which shows that most wolf depredations on hunting dogs take place during the hound training season in July and August, as well as during hunting season in the fall. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 1 Oct. 2025 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
Verb
The search for answers grew more desperate after Payne, wracked with grief and hounded by reporters, died by suicide near the very spot where Mary’s body had been found. Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for hound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hound
Noun
  • Choose a crate that is a comfortable size for your dog.
    Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
  • The stretchy fabric allows for a full range of motion and remains in place through every downward dog and tree pose.
    Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Letterboxd is a social-media platform dedicated to film lovers, allowing users to log movies, review them, create lists, and follow other cinephiles.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The show’s second season, based on Mona Kasten’s book Save You, follows the first installment, which found James Beaufort (Damien Hardung) and Ruby Bell (Harriet Herbig-Matten) go from enemies to lovers as the both worked hard to get into Oxford.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • This year’s furry green villain is more funny than scary, his behavior unthreatening, his confrontational manner with the Whos never feeling particularly dangerous.
    Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The cast picture also included Brett Gelman, Priah Ferguson, Cara Buono, Amybeth McNulty and Jamie Campbell Bower, the latter who joined the cast in season 4 as the show's villain, Vecna.
    Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • By the time they were chased by regime forces, their boat was virtually dead at sea, the remaining engine barely running.
    Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
  • One chases agility and research breakthroughs, the other aims for affordability and everyday utility.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • During that visit, then Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo urged Francis in unusually frank terms to take concrete action.
    Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Sauer urged the high court to issue its ruling quickly, noting that it is currently required to use Section 32 funding to send full SNAP benefits by tonight due to McConnell’s order.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • As the humpback plunges back below the surface the remoras, also known as sucker fish, return to the whale, sticking their landings with the timing and precision of Olympic gymnasts.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Remove any canes that are crossing or rubbing against each other, as well as any suckers that have formed.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Among the colorful cast of rogues, villains, queens and clergymen, Andre The Giant stands out as the young suitor’s kind-hearted but stupid brute.
    Duane Byrge, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • Tonight, Al Roker and his Weather Hunter team will be in attendance, anticipating a bevy of soulful classics, including oxtail, ribs, fries, mac and cheese and jerk chicken.
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Dig into Caribbean jerk chicken pizza at Blackstone Pub downtown or savor a few slices topped with spicy meatballs and peppadews served with a waterfront view at Little Bridge Marina’s Pizza Kitchen.
    Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hound. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.

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