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 Giamatti’s Santa is harried and bottom-heavy and has a schedule that’s micromanaged down to the second. Katie Rife, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024 The 3rd Assault Brigade’s drones and artillery harried the vehicles, destroying or damaging several, and then turned their attention to the dismounted infantry. David Axe, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024 With the new season, eight episodes have contracted down to only six, and in the process the show at times feels as harried and overscheduled as Kate so often is throughout her various misadventures. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2024 The ensemble, particularly Kevin Del Aguila, makes all kinds of mischief, and Kim excels at seeming harried. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for harry 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harry
Verb
  • Ex-head coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked and had been replaced by Graham Potter.
    Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
  • He was sacked three times and threw two interceptions, finishing with a QB rating of 42.2. NFL pundits began to question Mahomes’ legacy in the immediate aftermath of the game.
    Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Kanye West is facing yet another lawsuit from a former employee, this time from a Jewish Yeezy staffer who claims the rapper harassed her and routinely praised Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Takeaways Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish defensive effort included six blocks and 16 steals in addition to harassing Stanford into 31% shooting. Stanford: If Agara’s injury is long term, a rough season is about to get even rougher for the Cardinal.
    Curt Rallo, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Otto Frank requested that the spaces, plundered by the Nazis, remain vacant, their barrenness attesting to profound loss.
    Laurel Graeber, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
  • In Charleston, Loyalists were desperate for skilled horsemen who could work as scouts and raiders, plundering Patriot homes for supplies.
    Kinsey Gidick, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • At one point, an appalled Robinson came outside to scold her daughter.
    Rachel DeSantis, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
  • On the other side of the FaceTime call is none other than Set It Off star Vivica Fox, who scolds Glo for sleeping in.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The paintings are even more notable, since the tomb was likely looted, as indicated by missing inscriptions, human remains, and grave goods.
    Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 13 Feb. 2025
  • Last Friday evening three little boys looted the school rooms and stole marbles and jack knives.
    Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Pixel has savaged the backs of several chairs in the past, including an earlier Secretlab chair featuring the company’s Prime 2.0 leatherette (which claimed to be four times stronger than regular PU leather).
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Morning Joe savaged for meeting with Trump, liberals boycott MSNBC?!
    The Hill, The Hill, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The storm destroyed every structure on the island, wiping out the concert stage, tiki bar, giant slide and food truck.
    Gabrielle Calise Tampa Bay Times (TNS), arkansasonline.com, 8 Feb. 2025
  • Gazans are also facing dehydration with 70% of critical water infrastructure damaged or destroyed throughout the war, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 8 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In general, Trump seems to be borrowing from the playbook of past presidents (now generally reviled) like Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Carrie Underwood's decision to perform at Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony has been both praised and reviled by fans and fellow celebrities.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Harry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harry. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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