I can recall training to do naval gunfire support, or NGFS. One of the scenarios in class was to fire the guns in such away to cause fear or deprive the enemy of sleep. It was called harassing fire.
Certainly, with such a loose definition as Webster, this does apply.
Nowadays, I think that the U.S. is in a position where almost no one has the power to take us on in a head to head, toe to toe, traditional conflict. Our enemies our weak. Because they are weak, they will strike where we are undefended. They won't attempt to test our might. They will test our resolve.