as in disturbing
causing worry or anxiety
I have this nagging feeling that something will still go wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in urging
to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders
she kept nagging him to fix the furnace before the weather got any colder
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in complaining
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
if all you can do is nag, then you are of no use to this organization at all
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nagging
Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Schertz also revealed about a week ago that his MVP has been dealing with a nagging foot injury, though Avila has not missed a game.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
The irritation has been consistent and nagging enough that his production and impact have lagged.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nagging
Adjective
The constant, nagging need to hunt for a coffee shop Wi-Fi password just to save a few megabytes.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Schertz also revealed about a week ago that his MVP has been dealing with a nagging foot injury, though Avila has not missed a game.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
Something else had been nagging at him, too.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
The irritation has been consistent and nagging enough that his production and impact have lagged.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nagging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nagging
Adjective
-
Most disturbing, the largest net loss of IRS filers continues to be among young adults.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
-
So, yes, Reingold’s story identified some disturbing failures.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
On Sunday morning, Haidar Abdul-Samad, deputy director of Basra’s Shalamcha border crossing with Iran, was on the phone with an Iranian official, complaining about electricity cuts that had halted trade, urging a quick resolution.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
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In a video lesson, psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk emphasizes the importance of compassion when interacting with trauma survivors, highlighting that seemingly negative behaviors may be coping mechanisms for deep emotional pain and urging us to consider their struggles before passing judgment.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rather than complaining and predicting economic ruin, Americans treated rationing as noble.—
Gil Troy,
New York Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Some Toyota fans reacted poorly to the announcement, complaining about the loss of the hybrid version of the Highlander that Toyota has marketed since 2005.—
Keith Laing,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The wild swings in temperatures can be unsettling for people, Francis and others said, and also reflect the realities of a warming climate.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Though Lomeli denied both her 2021 and 2026 petitions, she is allowed to continue filing similar requests in the future, a notion that is deeply unsettling for Gabriel’s relatives.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
These questions linger as Ion goes about his day, looking for work, begging for change, and scarfing down a meal—moments that flash by in quick, propulsive blips.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The officer was able to keep distance between himself and Jones, while Jones’ sister could be heard screaming and begging police not to shoot him, according to the footage.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Authorities say Valdez had multiple untreated mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, and that he had been seen in Concord earlier in the day screaming at cars.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Williams was celebrating an offensive foul called against Doncic by gleefully screaming in Doncic's personal space.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Göring, played by Russell Crowe, is the troubling centerpiece of James Vanderbilt’s ambitious film devoted to the trial of the major Nazi war criminals at Nuremberg in 1945–1946.—
Alice Kaplan,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
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There, an old Tibetan man (Tsewang Migyur Khangsar) requests a Tibetan doctor to tend to his ever more troubling ailments.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Why are two players whose college careers, at the moment, are over bothering to put their names out there for other programs to see?—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Mar. 2026
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Throughout the day, jot down any worries that are bothering you, particularly the ones that keep popping up.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nagging. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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