harass Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb annoy continually or chronically
    beset; chivy; chevy; chevvy; hassle; chivvy; harry; plague; molest; provoke.
    • He is known to harry his staff when he is overworked
    • This man harasses his female co-workers
  2. verb exhaust by attacking repeatedly
    • harass the enemy

WordNet

Har"ass transitive verb
Etymology
F. harasser; cf. OF. harace a basket made of cords, harace, harasse,a very heavy and large shield; or harer to set (a dog) on.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Harassed ; present participle & verbal noun Harassing
Definitions
  1. To fatigue; to tire with repeated and exhausting efforts; esp., to weary by importunity, teasing, or fretting; to cause to endure excessive burdens or anxieties; -- sometimes followed by out.
    [Troops] harassed with a long and wearisome march. Bacon.
    Nature oppressed and harass'd out with care. Addison.
    Vext with lawyers and harass'd with debt. Tennyson.
    Syn. -- To weary; jade; tire; perplex; distress; tease; worry; disquiet; chafe; gall; annoy; irritate; plague; vex; molest; trouble; disturb; torment.
Har"ass noun
Definitions
  1. Devastation; waste. Obs. Milton.
  2. Worry; harassment. R. Byron.

Webster 1913