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

as in to wear

to use up all the physical energy of had been visibly harassed by the demands of the presidency

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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 Tiffany and his supporters have tried to paint Crowley as weak on crime, hitting him for a Milwaukee County program that provides computer tablets to inmates that some used to contact and harass victims and witnesses. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 The threat made her fear that police officers might pull her over and harass her on his behalf, according to court documents. — Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026 In an interview with Inside Edition on Tuesday, store owner Adam Rubin said that his store has been review-bombed since Clarkson took to social media and named the store, and employees and surrounding businesses have been harassed. — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026 The Horned Frogs will need Hayward’s pass rushing expertise to harass Baylor junior quarterback DJ Lagway, a former five-star recruit that transferred in from Florida. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harass

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harass

Verb

The company’s first product was the Ruffle Power Pareo, which can be worn as a pareo or a skirt and remains one of their bestsellers.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
The Bee Frontier can be worn as a Fitbit-like band on the wrist or as a clip-on pin.

— Victoria Song, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of wear

Verb

So, get ready for mountain vistas and exhausting cycling days to take your breath away and questions about your life choices to swirl around in your head!

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026
That pretty much exhausts the points of agreement between the pro- and anti-Proposition 40 camps.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of exhaust

Verb

The victim continues to experience symptoms from the poisoning, including not being able to focus, tiring easily and a loss of sensation in his left hand, Gomelsky said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
The alleged victim continues to experience symptoms from the poisoning, including not being able to focus, tiring easily and a loss of sensation in his left hand, Gomelsky said.

— CBS News, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of tire

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“Harass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harass. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of harass

verb

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