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
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
Tim Keown
… something about the book feels naggingly familiar, as if you know how it will end before you start …
—Debra Pickett
Debra Pickett
Examples of nagging in a Sentence
I have this nagging feeling that something will still go wrong
Recent Examples on the Web
Backup quarterback Mac Jones made yet another start for San Francisco as Brock Purdy continued to recover from the nagging turf toe injury that's kept him off the field for seven games in 2025.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
My work hours, most notably, but also that little nagging voice in my head that yearns—no, demands—perfection.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
Dickinson, who already missed three games this season with the same nagging injury, is questionable for Saturday’s game against Edmonton, Blashill said.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Never mind The Bear — meet the Boss, fighting the same demons and nagging feelings of self-doubt that would cause Carmy Berzatto to stoically nod in recognition.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nagging
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Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
My work hours, most notably, but also that little nagging voice in my head that yearns—no, demands—perfection.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
Dickinson, who already missed three games this season with the same nagging injury, is questionable for Saturday’s game against Edmonton, Blashill said.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
Never mind The Bear — meet the Boss, fighting the same demons and nagging feelings of self-doubt that would cause Carmy Berzatto to stoically nod in recognition.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nagging
Cite this Entry
“Nagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nagging. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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