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
At the center of this issue, though, one of the most nagging challenges—for any company, investor, or even homeowner—is predicting how and when climate risk will get priced.
—Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
And in Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard’s case, a nagging calf injury will likely mean more carries for backup Rico Dowdle.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2025
The extensive embellishment of a score by Bobby Krlic (the English musician who records as the Haxan Cloak), drenched in moody synths and guitar, fits the tone but also adds to the nagging sense that the younger Day-Lewis’ storytelling too often mistakes padding for atmosphere.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2025
Luchanko — who hardly skated at all before camp due to a nagging groin injury — is sure to play in at least one or two of the Flyers’ three remaining preseason games.
—Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nagging
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Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
And in Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard’s case, a nagging calf injury will likely mean more carries for backup Rico Dowdle.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2025
The extensive embellishment of a score by Bobby Krlic (the English musician who records as the Haxan Cloak), drenched in moody synths and guitar, fits the tone but also adds to the nagging sense that the younger Day-Lewis’ storytelling too often mistakes padding for atmosphere.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2025
Luchanko — who hardly skated at all before camp due to a nagging groin injury — is sure to play in at least one or two of the Flyers’ three remaining preseason games.
—Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 28 Sep. 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 7 Oct. 2025.
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