HARASS Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Relevance

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

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 Jones' followers harassed and threatened the grieving families for years. —

Tovia Smith, NPR, 25 Nov. 2024 Where the accuser argues that a supervisor has engaged in harassing conduct, the need to undertake an investigation into claims remains just as legally significant. —

Gabriella Levine, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 Sullivan didn’t find this evidence indicative of an intent by Oakley to harass, as there’s no evidence Oakley responded or otherwise endorsed the texts. —

Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 25 Nov. 2024 Relatives of some of the 20 first graders and six educators who were killed in the 2012 shooting said Jones’ followers harassed and threatened them as a result of his lies. —

Dave Collins, Chicago Tribune, 15 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for harass

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harass

Verb

During one incursion in September, Israeli forces shot and killed another child: 16-year-old Hani Al-Qirri.

Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 1 Dec. 2024
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the country's unresolved civil war, said dozens of fighters from both sides were killed.

SARAH EL DEEB THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 30 Nov. 2024