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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

Examples 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
Wojnarowski, 55, was hired by ESPN in 2017 after emerging as a must-read news hound and columnist at Yahoo Sports in 2007. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024 In contrast, hounds and livestock guard dogs were among those least likely to fetch. Judith Stella, Discover Magazine, 5 Sep. 2024
Verb
After production wrapped in October, crew members spent months hounding Emmett and Small for their full payment, The Times reported in April. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2024 Hermoso welcomes Alexia Putellas and Irene Paredes to her home to explain how she was hounded by members of the Spanish federation to corroborate Rubiales' version of events. Asif Burhan, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hound 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hound
Noun
  • This included four search dogs, three doctors, a diving team and a water extraction contingent, Tunisia’s state news agency TAP reported.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN, 13 Sep. 2023
  • Responding officers found the dog, and advised the owner to take the dog in.
    cleveland, cleveland, 13 Sep. 2023
Noun
  • Here, a few suggestions for the art lovers on your list.
    Rima Suqi, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
  • After eight years of serving as a vibrant hub for coffee lovers, Irene’s will be closing on Nov. 24.
    Ana Gutierrez, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Just weeks after closing out an incredibly dominant year in music, Rihanna was cast by some fans and members of the media as the villain and endlessly harassed by those who felt Brown did nothing wrong.
    Kyle Denis, Billboard, 19 Nov. 2024
  • And thus is Cobra Kai Part 2’s biggest reveal with the return of a villain who has disdain for Kreese, LaRusso and Lawrence: the infamous Terry Silver (played by Thomas Griffith) and his ruthless Iron Dragons.
    Demetrius Patterson, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Bucks are cruising, chasing, and tending estrus does.
    Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
  • There was shouting and general mayhem, punches were thrown and some local Democratic and election officials were chased around the building.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Yes, Donald Trump urged congressional Republicans to reject the bill, but three years of inaction were a bigger issue for voters.
    Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
  • Murphy urged residents to take the drought warning seriously and reduce water use voluntarily.
    Melissa Chan, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Ordinarily, getting offended by a Bill Burr joke is a sucker’s game.
    Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
  • And get stranded with a big band in Europe, and some sucker is gonna come talk to me about sellin’ out.
    August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The Penguin's Falcone is every bit the misogynistic brute, but his actions are relegated to the off-screen imagination by being implied, rather than shown.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2024
  • The part originally played by Timothy Olyphant has been taken over by Adam Driver—a specialist in magnetic brutes—whose recent movie roles have tended to be titular titans of industry and/or guys with accents.
    Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Or averred that Biden was sharp as a tack and that anyone who suggested otherwise was a jerk.
    Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
  • The extra that was shot by accident earlier this season was one such obnoxious jerk.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near hound

Cite this Entry

“Hound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hound. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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