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
Godwin has also been dealing with a nagging fibula injury that kept him limited in practice as well.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
But the high-impact activity can also cause injuries or nagging issues like sciatica, plantar fasciitis, or shin splints.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 13 Nov. 2025
Even with the nagging injury, Barnes leads TCU with 443 yards and has scored three touchdowns.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 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
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.
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
But the high-impact activity can also cause injuries or nagging issues like sciatica, plantar fasciitis, or shin splints.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 13 Nov. 2025
Even with the nagging injury, Barnes leads TCU with 443 yards and has scored three touchdowns.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 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
See All Example Sentences for nagging
Cite this Entry
“Nagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nagging. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share