Harry — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈher-ē/ har·ry

Meaning & Definition of Harry

Harry (verb)

  1. to make a pillaging or destructive raid on, assault
  2. to force to move along by harassing
  3. to torment by or as if by constant attack

Harry (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in loot, sack

    similar: despoil, foray, loot, maraud, pillage, plunder, sack, strip, destroy, devastate, ravage, ruin, scourge, annihilate, desolate, eradicate, expunge, extinguish, extirpate, nuke, obliterate, rub out, shatter, smash, total, vaporize, waste, wipe out, wrack, wreck, decimate, mow, demolish, raze, crush, overpower, overrun, overthrow, overwhelm
    opposite: recondition, recover, redeem, rehabilitate, restore, fix, mend, patch, repair, revamp

  2. as in scold, berate

    similar: berate, harangue, harass, revile, scold, whip, abuse, assail, attack, bash, belabor, blast, castigate, excoriate, jump (on), lambaste, potshot, savage, scathe, slam, trash, vituperate, blaspheme, curse, execrate, imprecate, profane, affront, insult, slur, asperse, bad-mouth, belittle, blackguard, disparage, put down, libel, slander, traduce, vilify, chastise, chide, criticize, lace (into), rebuke, reprimand, fulminate, lash (out)
    opposite: acclaim, commend, compliment, hail, laud, praise

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Harry

The most common words with a similar meaning to Harry:

despoil, foray, loot, maraud, pillage, plunder, sack, strip, destroy, devastate, ravage, ruin, scourge, annihilate, desolate, eradicate, expunge, extinguish, extirpate, nuke, obliterate, rub out, shatter, smash, total, vaporize, waste, wipe out, wrack, wreck, decimate, mow, demolish, raze, crush, overpower, overrun, overthrow, overwhelm, berate

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Harry

Words with the opposite meaning of Harry:

recondition, recover, redeem, rehabilitate, restore, fix, mend, patch, repair, revamp, acclaim, commend, compliment, hail, laud, praise

Word Forms of Harry

Inflections: harried, harrying

Origin & Etymology of Harry

Middle English hærȝen, herien, harien, herwen, harwen "to plunder, ravage, torment, pursue, drag," going back to Old English hergian, herian, heregian, hergon "to make predatory raids, ravage, wage war," going back to Germanic *harjōjan- (whence also Old Saxon herion "to plunder," Middle Dutch heren, hergen "to destroy with an army, ravage," Old High German heriōn, herrōn "to devastate, plunder," Old Norse herja "to despoil, lay waste"), verbal derivative of *harja- "body of armed men" (whence Old English here "body of armed men, army," Old Frisian here [in compounds], Old Saxon heri "army, crowd," Old High German heri, hari, Old Norse herr "host, army," Gothic harjis), going back to Indo-European *kori̯o- (whence also Middle Irish cuire "troop, host, company," Middle Welsh cord, cordd "tribe, clan, multitude, troop," Lithuanian kãrias "war, army"), derivative of appurtenance from *kor- "war," whence Lithuanian kãras "war," Old Persian kāra- "army, people" (with lengthened grade?); also, with suffix -no-, Greek koíranos "commander, ruler" (< *koironos < *kori̯o-no-s)

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Harry

Tom, Dick, and Harry, any/every Tom, Dick, and Harry

Frequently Asked Questions about Harry

What does "Harry" mean?

"Harry" means to make a pillaging or destructive raid on, assault. As a verb, it is defined as: to make a pillaging or destructive raid on, assault. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Harry"?

Other words for "Harry" include despoil, foray, loot, maraud, pillage, plunder, sack and strip. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Harry" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Harry"?

There are 87 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Harry". Common alternatives include despoil, foray, loot, maraud, pillage, plunder, sack, strip, destroy and devastate.

What is the opposite of "Harry"?

Antonyms of "Harry" include recondition, recover, redeem, rehabilitate, restore, fix, mend and patch.

Is "Harry" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Harry" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Harry"?

"Harry" is pronounced /ˈher-ē/ and divided into syllables as har·ry.

What is the origin of the word "Harry"?

"Harry" comes from Middle English hærȝen, herien, harien, herwen, harwen "to plunder, ravage, torment, pursue, drag," going back to Old English hergian, herian, heregian, hergon "to make predatory raids, ravage, wage war," going back to Germanic *harjōjan- (whence also Old Saxon herion "to plunder," Middle Dutch heren, hergen "to destroy with an army, ravage," Old High German heriōn, herrōn "to devastate, plunder," Old Norse herja "to despoil, lay waste"), verbal derivative of *harja- "body of armed men" (whence Old English here "body of armed men, army," Old Frisian here [in compounds], Old Saxon heri "army, crowd," Old High German heri, hari, Old Norse herr "host, army," Gothic harjis), going back to Indo-European *kori̯o- (whence also Middle Irish cuire "troop, host, company," Middle Welsh cord, cordd "tribe, clan, multitude, troop," Lithuanian kãrias "war, army"), derivative of appurtenance from *kor- "war," whence Lithuanian kãras "war," Old Persian kāra- "army, people" (with lengthened grade?); also, with suffix -no-, Greek koíranos "commander, ruler" (< *koironos < *kori̯o-no-s). First known use: before 12th century.

What is another word for "Harry" meaning "as in loot, sack"?

When "Harry" (verb) means as in loot, sack, synonyms include despoil, foray, loot, maraud, pillage and plunder. Opposites in this sense include recondition, recover, redeem and rehabilitate.