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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 Nearly two years after Mica’s death, John-Paul was indicted for allegedly stalking and harassing her in the months leading up to her suicide. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026 Yes, Iran can threaten, harass and disrupt shipping, but the two countries have no legal basis to make any kind of 'safe shipping' deal. — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 The American crocodile is protected under both state and federal law, and the public is reminded to not attempt to injure, capture, harass or relocate a crocodile. — Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 That program didn’t begin as a plan to harass civil rights leaders, anti-war organizers and journalists. — Karl W. Bickel, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harass

Recent Examples of Synonyms for harass

Verb

Wear it with leggings for a travel outfit that feels a little more elevated than wearing a sweatsuit.

— Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
All the guests at Bozoma Saint-John Watson's wedding to Keely Watson were asked to wear authentic Kente cloth attire.

— Rebecca Suhrawardi, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of wear

Verb

Your eyes will thank you College students often fall asleep without removing their contacts, especially when exhausted from late-night studying or over-intoxicated from partying.

— Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Qualifying members who exhaust their income protection will now be covered up until May 1, 2028, Gee said.

— Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of exhaust

Verb

In other words, an evening session does not just tire you out.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 23, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
The game slows not only because bodies tire more quickly, but because players begin pacing themselves earlier — conserving energy for the moments that matter most.

— Alan McCall, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of tire

Verb

For readers already burned out on pumpkin spice, these releases offer a way to try something new without straying far from the coffee-shop menus that define the season.

— Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026
In one specific day-time application the OLED display would burn out in less than one week of operation due to the amount of current required to operate the display degrading the cheaper OLED material so quickly.

— John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of burn out

Browse Nearby Words

haranguing

harass

harassed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Harass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harass. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of harass

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

What is 'Sealioning'?

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of harass

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to harass

What is 'Sealioning'?

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes