harass
10 synonyms and 4 antonyms for harass, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To repeatedly trouble, pester, or intimidate someone, especially in a way that is unwanted or illegal.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use harass
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
harass an employee
sexually harass
harass and intimidate
Etymology
From French harasser ("to exhaust, torment"), possibly from Old French harer, a command used to set a dog on someone or something.
Full origin of harass →Frequently asked questions
What does “harass” mean?
The word “harass” means to repeatedly trouble, pester, or intimidate someone, especially in a way that is unwanted or illegal. In plain terms, to repeatedly bother, intimidate, or attack someone.
How do you pronounce “harass”?
“Harass” is pronounced huh-RAS (/həˈɹæs/ in IPA).
How do you use “harass” in a sentence?
Here is “harass” used in a sentence: “He was fired for harassing a colleague over several months.”
What part of speech is “harass”?
“Harass” is a verb.
Where does the word “harass” come from?
The word “harass” comes from Old French. From French harasser ("to exhaust, torment"), possibly from Old French harer, a command used to set a dog on someone or something.
Is “harass” a common word?
“Harass” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “harass” have?
“Harass” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to repeatedly trouble, pester, or intimidate someone, especially in a way that is unwanted or illegal.
Related words
nonharassment
