pesky

adjective

pes·​ky ˈpe-skē 

peskier; peskiest

: troublesome, vexatious

pesky issues

Synonyms

• abrasive
• aggravating
• annoying
• bothersome
• carking
• chafing
• disturbing
• exasperating
• frustrating
• galling
• irksome
• irritating
• maddening
• nettlesome
• nettling
• peeving
• pestiferous
• pestilent
• pestilential
• pesty
• plaguey
• plaguy
• rankling
• rebarbative
• riling
• vexatious
• vexing

Examples of pesky in a Sentence

I've been trying to get rid of this pesky cold for weeks.

the pesky problem of what to do with all the leftovers

Recent Examples on the Web

The pesky invasive species, which may have hitched a ride from Asia to the US via shipping containers back in the 1990s, reportedly, contributed to a whooping €500 million worth of crop damage in Europe in 2019 alone. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 6 June 2024

No more precious scoops lost to those pesky freezer grazers who may be on the prowl for a sweet treat. —Tracy Yochum, Miami Herald, 4 June 2024

Some destinations tend to attract more pesky insects than others—but not to worry, there’s a blanket for those trips, too. —Adrienne Jordan, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 May 2024

Cool down with a handheld fan, fuel up on a Cuisinart grill, and keep things moving with bike shorts that forego a pesky front seam. —Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 22 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably irregular from pest + -y entry 1

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pesky

adjective

pes·​ky ˈpes-kē 

peskier; peskiest

: troublesome sense 2

peskily

-kə-lē

adverb

peskiness

-kē-nəs

noun