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hound

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verb

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

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 hound
Noun
Sami Arrieta, 20, lives in Florida, and, for the past two months, has acted as foster carer for an incredibly social and friendly rescue hound mix, Pine. Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025 This is why the police hounds were sent to Breonna Taylor’s apartment. Jonathon Sturgeon, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
The company has been hounded by bad news, falling since 2019 and giving back 78.6% of its ten-year 2009-2019 bull market. Bill Sarubbi, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025 Three issues are expected to hound the next pope: clerical abuse, poor finances of the Vatican and the ongoing cultural war between progressives and conservatives. Camille Elemia, NBC news, 4 May 2025 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
Noun
  • Here are performances music lovers won’t want to miss.
    Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 19 June 2025
  • Any dinosaur lovers at home should be eating up this documentary special series on PBS this week.
    DeVonne Goode, Parents, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • Welcome to the Post-Trust Era A social media app isn’t the villain.
    Ankush Chowdhary, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • Clayface is shape-shifting villain in the Batman comics and got his introduction as part of Detective Comics #40 in June 1940.
    Justin Kroll, Deadline, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • Much like the rest of the lineup, Lindor is also chasing pitches outside of the zone.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 21 June 2025
  • Protesters are chasing federal agents out of L.A. County hotels.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Residents are urged to stay alert, remain aware of their surroundings.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 15 June 2025
  • With Israel saying its operation could last weeks, and Netanyahu urging Iran's people to rise up against their Islamic clerical rulers, fears have grown of a regional conflagration dragging in outside powers.
    Alexander Cornwell, USA Today, 15 June 2025
Noun
  • Just the luck of the draw, the bouncing balls, and thanks for your services, suckers….
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 12 June 2025
  • Yes, ultimately, Joe fell for the lie, but not like a sucker.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • This freshly re-imagined Jag is worlds apart from that old German brute, but was similar in the sense of feeling wonderfully light and responsive, and utilizing hydraulic fluid to power its steering.
    Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
  • Cops released surveillance photos of a trio of brutes wanted for punching, repeatedly stabbing and robbing a man on a Bronx train last month.
    Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • But in politics — as in life —there’s a fine line between being genuine and being a jerk.
    Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
  • Smoky, spicy jerk is also on the menu in the Pulled Jerk Pork & Coconut Shrimp appetizer at Eleanor’s at Sandals Grande Antigua.
    Sandals Resorts, AFAR Media, 4 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hound. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

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