I. həˈras, ˈharəs, -ˈraa(ə)s, -ˈrais also ˈherəs or haˈr- transitive verb
( -ed/ing/-es )
Etymology: French harasser, from Middle French, from harer to set a dog on, from Old French hare, interjection used to incite dogs, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German hara, hera hither; akin to Old High German hiar here — more at here
1.
a. : to lay waste (as an enemy's country) : raid , harry
hostile Indians harassed the frontier
b. : to worry and impede by repeated attacks
his guerrilla forces cooperated with United States parachute troops in harassing the Japanese — Current Biography
harassed the enemy retreat
2.
a. : to tire out (as with physical or mental effort) : exhaust , fatigue
I have been harassed with the toil of verse — William Wordsworth
b. : to vex, trouble, or annoy continually or chronically (as with anxieties, burdens, or misfortune) : plague , bedevil , badger
sciatica occasionally harassed her — Arnold Bennett
harass the pilot and thus keep him in a constant state of … upset — H.G.Armstrong
harassed … by lack of funds — Henry Miller
Synonyms: see worry
II. noun
( -es )
archaic : worry , harassment