harry

¹ American  

[har-ee] / ˈhær i /

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

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verb (used without object)

harried, harrying

1. to make harassing incursions.

Harry ² American  

[har-ee] / ˈhær i /

noun

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

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harry British  

/ ˈhærɪ /

verb

1. (tr) to harass; worry

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

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Etymology

Origin of harry

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”

Example Sentences

As the harried solo parent of a sick child, Byrne lets the camera zoom in so close to her character’s insecurities that the audience breaks out in a cold sweat.

From Los Angeles Times

The girl’s mother is pregnant—again—and harried.

From The Wall Street Journal

When they were first married, Heather was a harried corporate lawyer working long hours.

From MarketWatch

After harried evacuations and tearful returns to the charred remains of the 46-unit complex, the Upper Woodies condo association formed committees to start the rebuilding process.

From The Wall Street Journal

The records depict harried disaster workers appearing to take dangerous shortcuts that could leave hazardous pollution and endanger thousands of survivors poised to return to these communities.

From Los Angeles Times