harass

1. To annoy (someone) frequently or systematically; to pester.Examples: "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."; "In February 2004, we developed a technique using compressed air to physically and audibly harass the birds. […] One person slowly (< 5 mph) drove a pick-up truck through the airport terminal at dusk while the second person sat on a bench in the truck bed and directed the compressed air from the pipe into the canopy to harass starlings attempting to enter the roost site."Synonyms: beleaguer, beset, chevy, harry, molest, plague, badger, baitspecificallytransitive

2. (obsolete) Often followed by out: to fatigue or tire (someone) with exhausting and repeated efforts.Examples: "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 from them, and fought in their Shirts: […]"; "Their Bodies harraſs, ſink 'em when they run; / And fry their melting Marrow in the Sun."; "Nature oppreſs'd, and harraſs'd out with Care, / Sinks down to Reſt."obsoletetransitive