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
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
Springer fought through multiple nagging injuries to drive in seven runs in the series.
—Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for nagging
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.
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
Springer fought through multiple nagging injuries to drive in seven runs in the series.
—Tim Crowley, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for nagging
Cite this Entry
“Nagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nagging. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share