harry

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb harry contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of harry are annoy, harass, pester, plague, tease, and worry. While all these words mean "to disturb or irritate by persistent acts," harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment.

the strikers had been harried by thugs

When can annoy be used instead of harry?

The words annoy and harry are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks.

you're doing that just to annoy me

Where would harass be a reasonable alternative to harry?

While the synonyms harass and harry are close in meaning, harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power.

harassed on all sides by creditors

When might pester be a better fit than harry?

The words pester and harry can be used in similar contexts, but pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks.

constantly pestered with trivial complaints

When would plague be a good substitute for harry?

The synonyms plague and harry are sometimes interchangeable, but plague implies a painful and persistent affliction.

plagued all her life by poverty

When is it sensible to use tease instead of harry?

While in some cases nearly identical to harry, tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath.

children teased the dog

In what contexts can worry take the place of harry?

The meanings of worry and harry largely overlap; however, 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 harry Ukrainian short-range drones are harrying Russian forces on the devastated battlefields while long-range strike craft hit targets closer to home. David Brennan, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025 Sign up for Prime Video to watch The Bondsman ‘Your Friends & Neighbors’ Apple TV+, April 11 No one does harried rich man quite like Jon Hamm. Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025 Café service is not harried and cappuccino and croissants can be surreally delicious at excellent prices. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025 The lead-up to Friday’s layoffs was drawn out and harried, according to the former employees. Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for harry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harry
Verb
  • It was sent to Arron Lambert, the shop’s owner, in January 2022, a month before the Argentinian was sacked.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • The 166-year-old St. Francis College in New York City, has sacked a quarter of its staff.
    Jon Marcus, NPR, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • The dismissal came on the heels of a filing in the case by lawyers for L.A. County that alleged Villanueva was harassing Sheriff Robert Luna and members of the Board of Supervisors by trying to call them as witnesses at a potential civil trial.
    Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
  • The agency also secured a $300,000 settlement for a mother, daughter and the daughter’s boyfriend in Oklahoma who were allegedly harassed and assaulted by neighbors because the boyfriend was Black, to which the landlord responded by trying to evict the mother.
    Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • After France fell to Germany, the Nazis requisitioned the museum as a sorting facility for art plundered from French Jewish dealers and citizens disenfranchised by the state.
    Nina Siegal, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • Some Quebecois housed troops or joined pro-patriot militias; others joined the British in firing muskets and artillery at the men invading their homeland and plundering their homesteads.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Five months after beating New York Red Bulls for the club’s sixth MLS Cup title, the Galaxy lost the rematch 7-0 in New York — seven-nil — prompting an impromptu team scolding on the field by Vanney after the final whistle.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
  • The moment a golden retriever and his feline friend were scolded by their owner for their behavior during her trip has left people in stitches.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Hamas has acknowledged executing individuals accused of looting and announced a 5,000-member force to combat armed criminals.
    Juwayriah Wright, Time, 19 May 2025
  • All of the 37 public hospitals in Khartoum have been severely damaged and looted, Saad said.
    Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • That is important to keep in mind as Trump savages Ukraine for rejecting his proposal.
    Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 29 Apr. 2025
  • DeSantis, who has savaged one of the nominees as uniquely terrible, nonetheless acknowledged this was not the right trajectory for the GOP.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a plea from a group of Native American activists and supporters to block a copper mining company from destroying an Apache religious site.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 27 May 2025
  • During the week of my embed, the Russian military identified and destroyed a few of the Vampire pilots’ positions.
    Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Atlantic, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • Cancel the totally unnecessary and reviled military parade, which would cost millions.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2025
  • There are a lot of reasons why great movies can be underrated, ignored, or even reviled.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Harry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harry. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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