harry

¹

[har-ee]

verb (used with object)

harried, harrying 

1. to harass, agitate, or trouble by or as if by repeated attacks; beleaguer.

   He was harried by constant doubts.

   Synonyms: trouble, plague, molest

2. to ravage, as in war; devastate.

   The troops harried the countryside.

   Synonyms: pillage, rob, strip, plunder

verb (used without object)

harried, harrying 

1. to make harassing incursions.

Harry

²

[har-ee]

noun

1. a male given name, form of Harold or Henry.

harry

/ ˈhærɪ /

verb

1. (tr) to harass; worry

2. to ravage (a town, etc), esp in war

Word History and Origins

Origin of harry¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English herien, Old English her(g)ian (derivative of here “army”); cognate with German verheeren, Old Norse herja “to harry, lay waste”

Word History and Origins

Origin of harry¹

Old English hergian; related to here army, Old Norse herja to lay waste, Old High German heriōn

Example Sentences

The 51-minute color documentary observes the imposition of strict traffic controls at a busy Tehran intersection, where a harried but strong-willed traffic official determines who may pass and who may not.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But Mr. Thein’s harried, good-humored attempt to keep up with the title cards’ rapid pace brought additional amusement—and a much deserved ovation for his valiant efforts.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That puts her in rarefied territory for a family doctor—most of whom are so harried they barely know their patients individually.

Read more on Barron's

If air travel was fraught with inconveniences before the government shutdown, things are about to get a lot more harried.

Read more on Barron's

But Harriet Dyer strolls through the sliding doors like she’s walking into another shift at work as the soothing automated voice directs harried visitors trying to get their driver’s licenses or transfer car titles.

Read more on Los Angeles Times