harass

verb

hə-ˈras How to pronounce harass (audio)
Definition of harassnext
as in to kill
to use up all the physical energy of had been visibly harassed by the demands of the presidency

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb harass contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of harass are annoy, harry, pester, plague, tease, and worry. While all these words mean "to disturb or irritate by persistent acts," harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power.

harassed on all sides by creditors

Where would annoy be a reasonable alternative to harass?

While in some cases nearly identical to harass, annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks.

you're doing that just to annoy me

When could harry be used to replace harass?

The words harry and harass are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment.

the strikers had been harried by thugs

When might pester be a better fit than harass?

In some situations, the words pester and harass are roughly equivalent. However, pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks.

constantly pestered with trivial complaints

When is it sensible to use plague instead of harass?

The words plague and harass can be used in similar contexts, but plague implies a painful and persistent affliction.

plagued all her life by poverty

When can tease be used instead of harass?

While the synonyms tease and harass are close in meaning, tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath.

children teased the dog

When would worry be a good substitute for harass?

Although the words worry and harass have much in common, 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 harass The guard then went to Ada’s table and — according to the girl’s parents — spoke to Ada and her mother aggressively about disrespecting and harassing people. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026 The information can also be used to stalk and harass people, including domestic violence survivors whose abusers can use it to track them down. —Larry Magid, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026 This protects any historic facilities from being hazed or harassed by new neighbors. —Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 25 Mar. 2026 These bad actors would harass their neighbors and even commit violent crimes. —Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harass
  1. kill
  2. wear
  3. exhaust
  4. tire
Verb
  • Authorities allege her husband, 40-year-old Stephen Bowen, killed her with a shotgun.
    — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
  • They get captured by Hungarian gangsters and have to fight (and kill) their way out of an inn run by a shady former dance prodigy (Uma Thurman).
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of kill
Verb
  • Cops are searching for multiple suspects wearing ski masks last seen fleeing the scene on foot.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • He was last seen wearing a denim shirt and jeans.
    — Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of wear
Verb
  • The idea that forms of artistic expression can exhaust themselves is nothing new.
    — Daniel Birnbaum, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
  • In 2018, pregnant with her third child, Kate Ames was exhausted.
    — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of exhaust
Verb
  • Why tire himself out, become completely exhausted and out of breath, crumple up the bedsheets that were changed just a few days ago, get someone else’s germs all over himself, and then reek of sweat afterward?
    — Agnieszka Szpila, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Though his admin tasks may tire him, Idle said comedy never does.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of tire

Browse Nearby Words

haranguing
harass
harassed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Harass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harass. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on harass

Nglish: Translation of harass for Spanish Speakers

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