pesky

adjective

pes·​ky ˈpe-skē How to pronounce pesky (audio)
peskier; peskiest
: troublesome, vexatious
pesky issues

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 Hoosiers are more likely to spot the egg masses now that temperatures are getting warmer and people spend more time outside, so here are some ways to help stop the spread of the pesky insects. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Mar. 2024 From the dry cleaner’s to the stationery store, from Zabar’s to Barney Greengrass, Chloe pursues the siblings, as pesky and insistent as a gnat. The New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2024 The Razorbacks are relatively a talented team and gave Mississippi State a scare, but Jans’ squad was able to fend off a pesky Arkansas squad. Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 The pesky problem of basis risk may provide at least a partial explanation for the lag in parametric’s adoption over the years. Ruth Foxe Blader, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 The main culprit was the Federal Reserve, which rapidly boosted mortgage rates from historic lows to battle pesky inflation. Jonathan Lansner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2024 The cohost and current events pundit recently took a break from discussing politics to set her sights on a pesky raccoon that terrorized her abode. EW.com, 17 Oct. 2023 We’re only told that Girard (Grégory Montel), a pesky weasel from the French office, is a threat to Claire, but his quest to undermine her is never shown. Courtney Howard, Variety, 7 Feb. 2024 Lions certainly deserve their prestige as emperors of the African savanna, but they’ve recently been humbled by a tiny, pesky troublemaker: ants. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 25 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pesky.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably irregular from pest + -y entry 1

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pesky was in 1775

Dictionary Entries Near pesky

Cite this Entry

“Pesky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pesky. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pesky

adjective
pes·​ky ˈpes-kē How to pronounce pesky (audio)
peskier; peskiest
peskily
-kə-lē
adverb
peskiness
-kē-nəs
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on pesky

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