pester

pes·ter

transitive verb \ˈpes-tər\

pes·teredpes·ter·ing \-t(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of PESTER

1

obsolete : overcrowd

2

: to harass with petty irritations : annoy

Examples of PESTER

1. Leave me alone! Stop pestering me!
2. <one resident pestered the condo board about every little thing>

Origin of PESTER

modification of Middle French empestrer to hobble, embarrass, from Vulgar Latin *impastoriare, from Latin in- + Late Latin pastoria tether — more at pastern

First Known Use: 1533

Related to PESTER

Synonyms

bug, chivy (or chivvy), disturb, intrude (upon), bother

Related Words

inconvenience, trouble; aggravate, annoy, bedevil, chafe, devil, dog, dun, exasperate, fret, gall, get, gnaw, grate, hassle, irk, irritate, nettle, peeve, persecute, pique, put out, rankle, rasp, rile, roil, torment, vex, worry; beleaguer, beset, besiege; distress, plague; afflict, harass, provoke; anger, antagonize, enrage, incense, inflame (also enflame), infuriate, madden, outrage; agitate, perturb; butt in, cut in (on), obtrude; encroach, infringe, invade, trespass

Near Antonyms

disregard, forget, ignore, leave, slight; appease, conciliate, disarm, mollify, oblige, placate; delight, gladden, gratify, please, satisfy; comfort, console, content

See Synonym Discussion at worry

Rhymes with PESTER

Chester, ester, Esther, fester, jester, nester, Nestor, quaestor, quester, tester, wester, yester, zester