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 Bournemouth’s back line harried and crowded Isak, who was so often left isolated by his team-mates. Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025 The sheer number of drones that harried the tank speaks to the abundance of tiny flying robots over the front line. David Axe, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025 Of course academics and other people with more regular artist jobs can get harried, but then again so can artists trying to string together work on quicksand! Liana Finck, The New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2025 But as for conscious thought in the brain, that harried pace of information exchange slows to a relative crawl. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for harry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harry
Verb
  • Then, on Thursday, Kiir sacked the governor of Upper Nile State, who hailed from Machar's party.
    Kate Bartlett, NPR, 22 Mar. 2025
  • And now 10 engineers charged with developing the AI have been sacked and the fate of the project has been thrown into doubt, staff told Forbes.
    Thomas Brewster, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Iran offered $500,000 for a July 2022 killing of Alinejad after efforts to harass, smear and intimidate Alinejad failed, prosecutors said.
    Larry Neumeister, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Majors, who was convicted in December 2023 of recklessly assaulting and harassing his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari, has spent the past month staging a steadfast attempt at career rehabilitation.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • These latter-day doges only see regulations as obstacles to righteous, plundering plutocrats.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
  • In Musk’s telling, Altman illegally partnered with Microsoft to establish a web of illicit affiliates and plunder its nonprofit arm of assets and staff in violation of their deal.
    Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • On Wednesday, the couple jokingly addressed the awkward interview in which Hilaria scolded Alec for interrupting her during a red carpet moment that has since gone viral.
    Christina Dugan Ramirez, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Omari Hardwick scolded an interviewer who misquoted him in a seeming attempt to stir up drama between the actor and Power producer 50 Cent.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • That childhood dream has been shattered, much like the Centre, looted and destroyed.
    Omnia Saed, ARTnews.com, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The station, per a note, was looted sometime between Wednesday and Thursday.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Fire authorities issued evacuation warnings Tuesday for residents living in areas of Los Angeles County savaged by recent wildfires ahead of heavy rain and mudslides expected this week.
    Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Critics savaged Platt’s idea on Twitter and other social media platforms as being disrespectful.
    Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Tornadoes pose a severe risk to life and property, with their powerful winds capable of destroying homes, overturning vehicles, and uprooting trees.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Taking on the role of a teenage boy named Chrono, players have to travel through time and assemble a team to stop a horrifying creature named Lavos from destroying the world.
    Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • He was feared by world powers, but also revered and reviled by his own subjects.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The flywheel could reverse: Musk could become universally reviled, causing the protests to increase and his net worth to shrink.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Harry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harry. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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