hound 1 of 2

Definition of houndnext
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
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne, also known as the Fawn Colored Brittany Basset, is a hound with coarse, wiry fur that conveniently repels dirt and does not mat, according to the AKC. Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025 The third is a centuries-old French hunting hound. Jennifer Peltz, Twin Cities, 30 Dec. 2025
Verb
About 50 seconds into overtime, Utah appeared to have possession with a chance to clear, but Werenski, Fantilli, Marchenko and Voronkov hounded the puck, using all means to keep it in the zone. Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026 They’re hounded into the hereafter. Lili Anolik, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hound
Noun
  • Small dogs aren’t always cheaper — a Chihuahua costs nearly $29,649.
    Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The ad oozes cuteness, featuring an adorable baby, a charming house and a faithful family dog.
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Years of steadily climbing coffee prices have some in this country of coffee lovers upending their habits by nixing cafe visits, switching to cheaper brews or forgoing it altogether.
    Matt Sedensky, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Fennell cast Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff and Margot Robbie plays Cathy in this tale of childhood friends turned tortured lovers, kept apart by heartbreaking misunderstandings and their own destructive decisions.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • As the now-45-year-old driver was announced at each racetrack in 2025, Hamlin, after years of embracing the role of villain in a sport in desperate need of one, had a heel-turn to the light.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Built into an old limestone quarry, the winery felt like a Bond villain’s secret lair—sleek, subterranean, and wildly impressive.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Aljorna, the affidavit claimed, hit a light pole before fleeing from the car, with an ICE agent chasing him on foot toward the home.
    Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
  • An immigration officer chased Aljorna who, according to the government, violently resisted arrest.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The Lake County Council passed a resolution Tuesday to urge the state legislature to pass a bill to disclose the specific fees hidden in utility bill delivery charges.
    Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
  • As an example, Raskin pointed to the Justice Department’s failed attempt to indict six Democratic lawmakers who urged service members to not comply with unlawful orders in a video posted in November.
    Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Why to Prune Viburnums Viburnums seldom need pruning other than to remove damaged, diseased, and dead branches, or sucker shoots that grow straight up from the roots but don’t flower.
    Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Kocher was a grandfather and a sucker for extra hours on the bike trails, Beckley said.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • For much of his career, Skarsgård has gravitated toward characters who weaponize physical presence — Vikings, tech titans and mythic brutes whose power is immediately legible.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
  • As usual, Lang plays the brute’s Heart of Darkness–esque descent into madness with gleeful relish.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Smarmy jerks can get obscenely wealthy in this country just by managing other people’s money.
    Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
  • The food shies away from the typical — no crab rangoon here — for finger foods that harken to cuisines outside the South Pacific, like Jamaican style jerk shrimp skewers ($18) and salmon ceviche ($16).
    Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hound. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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!