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

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 But then Majors faced charges for, and was later found guilty of, assaulting and harassing his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari. —

Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2025 After the teenager sent the photos, Lawal is accused of sending harassing messages to him, threatening to leak the photos and ruin his reputation unless the teen sent him money. —

Greg Wehner, Fox News, 28 Jan. 2025 The Dean of Students and ASU Police are available to assist any student who is threatened or harassed. —

Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025 Cornell University junior Amanda Silberstein says she has been physically assaulted and harassed online and in person, and feels unsafe on campus. —

Tovia Smith, NPR, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for harass

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harass

Verb

The dismissals come less than three weeks after a midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter killed 67 people and brought new scrutiny to air traffic controllers and their workloads.

— Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
Train hoppers can and do get injured or even killed.

— Manuela López Restrepo, NPR, 17 Feb. 2025