harrass

Verb

harass (third-person singular simple present harasses, present participle harassing, simple past and past participle harassed)

1. (transitive) To annoy (someone) frequently or systematically; to pester.
   • For it is a stout calf, ripe for the temples and altar [to be sacrificed], and to be sprinkled with wine; who is now ashamed to draw the dugs of his mother, and who harasseth the oaks with his budding horn.1829, Juvenal, “Satire XII”, in William Smart, transl., Juvenal and Persius, Literally Translated for the Use of Students, London: […] [Richard Gilbert] for Whittaker, Treacher, & Co. […], →OCLC...

   Synonyms:

   beleaguer, beset, chevy, harry, molest, plague, badger, bait, bedevil, persecute

   1. (specifically, transitive) To persistently bother (someone, or a group of people) physically or psychologically when such behaviour is illegal and/or unwanted, especially over an extended period.
      • I am gay and have AIDS and would very much like to write to someone. It is vey lonely here and they seem to think I'm going to die soon, though I wonder if they aren't just harassing me.1990 December 9, Francis Anker, “Personal advertisement”, in Gay Community News, volume 18, number 21, page 18
2. (transitive) To put excessive burdens upon (someone); to subject (someone) to anxieties.
   • To harass good people is no different than speaking ill of them.

   Synonyms:

   afflict, distress, lacerate, aggrieve, plague, atray, cag, engrieve, grame, harrow

3. (transitive) To trouble (someone, or a group of people) through repeated military-style attacks.
   • But meanevvhile, to harraſſe and vvearie the Engliſh, they [the French] did vpon all aduantages ſet vpon them vvith their Light-Horſe; vvherein neuertheleſſe they receiued commonly loſſe, eſpecially by meanes of the Engliſh-Archers.1622, Francis, Lord Verulam, Viscount St. Alban [i.e. Francis Bacon], The Historie of the Raigne of King Henry the Seventh, […], London: […] W[illiam] Stansby for Matthew Lownes, and William Barret...

   Synonyms:

   harry

4. (obsolete, transitive) Often followed by out: to fatigue or tire (someone) with exhausting and repeated efforts.
   • VVhich Troupes came to the Army but the day before, harraſed vvith a long and vveariſome march: and (as it is left for a memorable circumſtance in all Stories,) the Souldiers, being more ſenſible of a little Heat of the Sunne, than of any cold Feare of Death, caſt avvay their Armour, and Garments...a. 1627 (date written), Francis [Bacon], “Considerations Touching a Warre with Spaine. […]”, in William Rawley, editor, Certaine Miscellany Works of the Right Honourable Francis Lo. Verulam, Viscount...

See all 6 meanings of harass