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 Café service is not harried and cappuccino and croissants can be surreally delicious at excellent prices. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025 The lead-up to Friday’s layoffs was drawn out and harried, according to the former employees. Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2025 But you people harried her and condescended to her and insulted her and never gave her the time of day. George Saunders, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for harry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harry
Verb
  • The city was sacked again — this time by the Turks — and incorporated into the Ottoman Empire.
    Danuta Hamlin, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • At the crossroads of Roman roads in ancient Gaul, Cassel was sacked by the Vikings in the late 9th century, and later became a 17th-century war prize fought over by France and Spain.
    Mary Winston Nicklin, AFAR Media, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • He was often harassed and got into fights most days.
    Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Kathy Griffin says man is 'harassing' her with questions about Trump Kathy Griffin says ex Jack Black told her to dry off with bath mat towel This isn't the first health scare the comedian has faced in recent years.
    Lauren Huff, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • For decades, the terrorist group has plundered Gaza and sacrificed its people in pursuit of an unending messianic war to eliminate the Jewish state.
    Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2025
  • From [nautical] mile 200, the Argentine Navy [ …] under the coordination of the Joint Maritime Command, stands firm, patrolling and watching and ensuring that no foreign ship crosses our exclusive economic zone to plunder what belongs to Argentines.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The White House was reprimanded: A federal judge scolded the Trump administration for failing to try to return the man.
    Cate Martel, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
  • At the White House, press secretary Karoline Leavitt scolded reporters for not understanding the president’s plans.
    Chris Megerian, Chicago Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Police say just before midnight that 10 people had been arrested citywide, including seven for breaking curfew and two for looting.
    Steve Earley, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Their testimonies—detailing missing relatives, murdered family members, homes looted then burned—should shake us to our core.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Miami’s roster doesn’t even come close to comparing to Philadelphia, even after the Eagles got savaged in free agency by the rest of the league this month.
    Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2025
  • And all this week, Trump’s White House has savaged the reputation and impugned the integrity of Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, whose accidental inclusion on the national-security adviser’s group chat became the basis of Signalgate.
    Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The gangs have resumed kidnappings, while burning hospitals and destroying schools.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Eventually, the artwork was destroyed.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Listen to this article Loading your audio article For most of her long life, Yoko Ono has been reviled by many rock critics and music fans as the dragon lady who glommed on to a lovesick John Lennon and broke up the Beatles.
    Paul Liberatore, Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • But while Dhillon became a conservative favorite, she was reviled by her opponents.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Harry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harry. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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