HARASS Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

harass

verb

hə-ˈras

Definition of harass next

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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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

Examples 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 families have spoken about being repeatedly threatened and harassed by Jones’ viewers and others who believe his claims. —

Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 The conflict began five years ago when the poster's son, Marc, was harassed by Nicky and her friends. —

Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024 After leaving Instagram, Barry Keoghan has now posted a statement saying his family is being harassed. —

Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 7 Dec. 2024 Even if people are not thrown into prison, it’s being harassed all day, having to appear in court over and over again, having to spend all of your money on legal fees, having a bunch of Trump’s allies harassing you all day. —

Leah Feiger, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for harass

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harass

Verb

In 2020, a woman was sentenced to 51 years to life in state prison for a DUI crash that killed three Las Vegas teenagers and seriously injured a fourth in Huntington Beach two years earlier.

Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Calhoun, who started his career at Boeing as a director and rose to be non-executive chairman, was brought in as CEO in 2020 to turn things around at Boeing following two deadly crashes that killed 346 people.

Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024