pesky

adjective

pes·​ky ˈpe-skē 

peskier; peskiest

: troublesome, vexatious

pesky issues

Synonyms of pesky

• annoying
• frustrating
• irritating

Examples of pesky in a Sentence

I've been trying to get rid of this pesky cold for weeks.

the pesky problem of what to do with all the leftovers

Recent Examples on the Web

As the moon continues to slide in front of the solar disk, the pesky cumulus cloud that kept everybody on edge begins to dissolve. — IEEE Spectrum, 5 Nov. 2026

While Malkovich gets the best lines, Rockwell gets the best reaction shots, staring aghast at his pesky colleague. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

This makes no technical sense, but we’re meant to ride the wave of catharsis and emotion here, not to ask pesky questions about how exactly a clockwork mechanism from 1939 is reprogramming bleeding-edge nanotech from 2026. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026

My jawline was tauter, my cheeks were plumper, those pesky wrinkles and fine lines were softened, and my skin had a vibrant, healthy glow. — Cathy Nelson, InStyle, 24 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably irregular from pest + -y entry 1

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pesky

adjective

pes·​ky ˈpes-kē 

peskier; peskiest

: troublesome sense 2

peskily

-kə-lē

adverb

peskiness

-kē-nəs

noun