tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath.
children teased the dog
Examples of pester in a Sentence
Leave me alone! Stop pestering me!
one resident pestered the condo board about every little thing
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The app will occasionally pester you to turn smart features back on, though.—Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025 Joel pesters the psychologist Gail at lunch, asking if moths are a symbol of change and growth.—Noel Murray, New York Times, 19 May 2025 Schroder, with his hounding pressure, continues to pester opposing guards.—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025 After the picnic, the brother and sister have some fun by pestering a neighboring cat.—Esther K. Choy, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for pester
Word History
Etymology
modification of Middle French empestrer to hobble, embarrass, from Vulgar Latin *impastoriare, from Latin in- + Late Latin pastoria tether — more at pastern
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