HOUND Synonyms: 337 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'hound' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of hound are badger , bait , chivy , heckle , and hector . While all these words mean "to harass by efforts to break down," hound implies unrelenting pursuit and harassing. // hounded by creditors

Q: When could 'badger' be used to replace 'hound'?

The words badger and hound can be used in similar contexts, but badger implies pestering so as to drive a person to confusion or frenzy. // badgered her father for a car

Q: Where would 'bait' be a reasonable alternative to 'hound'?

While the synonyms bait and hound are close in meaning, bait implies wanton cruelty or delight in persecuting a helpless victim. // baited the chained dog

Q: When is it sensible to use 'chivy' instead of 'hound'?

Although the words chivy and hound have much in common, chivy suggests persecution by teasing or nagging. // chivied the new student mercilessly

Q: In what contexts can 'heckle' take the place of 'hound'?

The words heckle and hound are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, heckle implies persistent annoying or belligerent interruptions of a speaker. // drunks heckled the stand-up comic

Q: When can 'hector' be used instead of 'hound'?

While in some cases nearly identical to hound , hector carries an implication of bullying and domineering. // football players hectored by their coach

hound 1 of 2

noun

ˈhau̇nd

Definition of hound next

as in dog

a domestic mammal that is related to the wolves and foxes in the yard an old hound greeted us with a single bark

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in lover

a person with a strong and habitual liking for something a camera hound even before the baby arrived, he's now become obsessive

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in villain

a mean, evil, or unprincipled person a no-good sneaky hound who disappeared with the lottery winnings he was supposed to share

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in bastard

a person whose behavior is offensive to others nobody could stand that low-down hound and his penchant for mean-spirited pranks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hound

2 of 2

verb

as in to chase

to go after or on the track of after the scandal came to light, the politician was hounded by reporters night and day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to dog

to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders kept hounding his mother to let him drive her car until she gave in

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word hound distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of hound are badger, bait, chivy, heckle, and hector. While all these words mean "to harass by efforts to break down," hound implies unrelenting pursuit and harassing.

hounded by creditors

When could badger be used to replace hound?

The words badger and hound can be used in similar contexts, but badger implies pestering so as to drive a person to confusion or frenzy.

badgered her father for a car

Where would bait be a reasonable alternative to hound?

While the synonyms bait and hound are close in meaning, bait implies wanton cruelty or delight in persecuting a helpless victim.

baited the chained dog

When is it sensible to use chivy instead of hound?

Although the words chivy and hound have much in common, chivy suggests persecution by teasing or nagging.

chivied the new student mercilessly

In what contexts can heckle take the place of hound?

The words heckle and hound are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, heckle implies persistent annoying or belligerent interruptions of a speaker.

drunks heckled the stand-up comic

When can hector be used instead of hound?

While in some cases nearly identical to hound, hector carries an implication of bullying and domineering.

football players hectored by their coach

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 hound

Noun

Murray’s Cheese 7 Monthly Cheese Clubs Shop at The giftable subscriptions available through Murray’s are enough to make any brie lover or gouda hound weep. —

Sara Coughlin, SELF, 29 Oct. 2024 The only other research dog breeder according to current USDA inventories is Oak Hill Genetics based in Franklin County in Illinois, which housed about 800 mongrel hound dogs in July. —

Bymeredith Wadman, science.org, 28 Oct. 2024

Verb

Members of the board began to learn that Johnston was conferring with right-wing activists who, since November, 2020, had been hounding state election officials over unproven allegations of fraud. —

Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024 As O’Connell completed a radio interview and began walking across the field toward the buses, reporters hounded him for details about second-year wide receiver Jordan Addison, who earlier in practice had twisted his ankle while landing after a contested catch attempt. —

Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 14 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hound

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hound

Noun

According to LifeLine, the DeKalb shelter takes in 135 dogs a week on average.

Jim Gaines, ajc, 13 Sep. 2023
Responding officers found the dog, and advised the owner to take the dog in.

cleveland, cleveland, 13 Sep. 2023