nagging

adjective

nag·​ging ˈna-giŋ How to pronounce nagging (audio)
1
: persistently annoying or finding fault with someone
a nagging husband/wife
2
a
: causing continual or recurring worry or anxiety
a nagging fear
This time, the worry is that the housing slowdown will curtail growth before the Federal Reserve gets nagging inflation concerns resolved.Scott Patterson
b
: causing continual or recurring pain or discomfort
He'd had a nagging headache all day.
a nagging injury
naggingly adverb
There has always been something naggingly sad about Bonds' career … Tim Keown
… something about the book feels naggingly familiar, as if you know how it will end before you start … Debra Pickett

Examples of nagging in a Sentence

I have this nagging feeling that something will still go wrong
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Stanley needs to know as the guitars come crashing in to join him on the nagging chorus. Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025 The same bothersome right ankle that delayed his Dodgers debut after the trade deadline last season continued to be a nagging issue throughout 2025. Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 In addition to McLaurin's quad issue, veteran WR Deebo Samuel has been dealing with a nagging heel injury that has him questionable to take the field on Sunday. Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025 No big credit red flags, though corporate credit spreads are up off their lows in recent weeks and the nagging questions about a couple of private-debt blowups are on repeat. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nagging

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nagging was in 1829

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nagging. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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