1. (

• torment ,
• rag ,
• bedevil ,
• crucify ,
• dun ,
• frustrate

) treat cruelly; "The children tormented the stuttering teacher" ;

2. (

• annoy ,
• rag ,
• get_to ,
• bother ,
• get_at ,
• irritate ,
• rile ,
• nark ,
• nettle ,
• gravel ,
• vex ,
• chafe ,
• devil

) cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations; "Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me"; "It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves" ;

3. (

• rag

) play in ragtime; "rag that old tune" ;

4. (

• tease ,
• razz ,
• rag ,
• cod ,
• tantalize ,
• tantalise ,
• bait ,
• taunt ,
• twit ,
• rally ,
• ride

) harass with persistent criticism or carping; "The children teased the new teacher"; "Don't ride me so hard over my failure"; "His fellow workers razzed him when he wore a jacket and tie" ;

5. (

• call_on_the_carpet ,
• take_to_task ,
• rebuke ,
• rag ,
• trounce ,
• lecture ,
• reprimand ,
• jaw ,
• dress_down ,
• call_down ,
• scold ,
• chide ,
• berate ,
• bawl_out ,
• remonstrate ,
• chew_out ,
• chew_up ,
• have_words ,
• lambaste ,
• lambast

) censure severely or angrily; "The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car"; "The deputy ragged the Prime Minister"; "The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup" ;

6. (

• rag

) break into lumps before sorting; "rag ore" ;