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
Frank Harvey, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Consistently waking up with nagging aches and pains?
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 3 July 2025
Harris: A couple of reasons: 1) Kim’s best defensive position, second base, has been blocked lately by Tommy Edman, who hadn’t been able to play the outfield in recent weeks because of his nagging ankle injury.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2025
Meanwhile, Barbora Krejčíková is returning to defend her title as women's singles champion after dealing with a nagging back injury.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nagging
Adjective
Even for a thing as simple as seeing the doctor for a nagging cough and getting a prescription at the pharmacy, the whole process can be surprisingly complex and costly.
—Frank Harvey, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Consistently waking up with nagging aches and pains?
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 3 July 2025
Harris: A couple of reasons: 1) Kim’s best defensive position, second base, has been blocked lately by Tommy Edman, who hadn’t been able to play the outfield in recent weeks because of his nagging ankle injury.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2025
Meanwhile, Barbora Krejčíková is returning to defend her title as women's singles champion after dealing with a nagging back injury.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nagging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nagging
Adjective
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Even then, the fact that the package contained a bloody tracksuit is still disturbing and likely to create psychological trauma for the daughter.—
Jim Halterman,
Variety,
1 July 2025
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In demand filmmaker Kim Tae-joon, who wrote and directed the disturbing tech thriller Unlocked for the streamer, is back with another feature that is sure to linger with its audience.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 July 2025
Verb
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In 2023, a billboard displaying Graves' photo was placed near the festival site, urging attendees to provide any information to authorities.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
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AccuWeather experts are urging travelers to avoid unnecessary travel and to prepare for significant disruptions this weekend.—
Amanda Castro,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Buccaneers started complaining to the officials about fouls.—
CJ Moore,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
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That first-round pick became Merriman (although, the Giants aren't complaining).—
Ryan Morik,
Fox News,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The pit and toy poodle mix, adopted from a rescue ranch called The Barking Lot outside San Diego, found the sudden arrival of towering boxes and disappearing furniture deeply unsettling.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
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The decision has left some in an unsettling state of limbo.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2025
Verb
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If your home is begging for a refresh, don’t miss the chance to save on furniture and decor at Wayfair’s epic spring sale.—
Ali Faccenda,
People.com,
24 Mar. 2025
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Rebecca was then allegedly seen on camera begging Yolanda to call 911 multiple times as her wife told her to go back inside.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The lack of transparency is troubling for computer scientist Talia Ringer, a professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who earlier in the week criticized the company’s handling of the technology’s antisemitic outbursts.—
Matt O’Brien,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
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Mixed Reactions While some universities criticize the procedure and announce retractions, others have attempted to justify the practice, revealing a troubling lack of consensus on AI ethics in academia.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Verb
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Rodin Cars The big idea behind Rodin is to build cars without bothering about vehicle regulations – in stark contrast to F1 cars, which are subject to several rules around how they're put together.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Jan. 2025
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The city and state have also been ramping up efforts to engage troubled vagrants sleeping and sometimes bothering straphangers, connecting them with services and shelter and potentially involuntary treatment.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The whining about everyone else didn’t help, either.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2024
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Stop whining and thank your lucky stars for having a job.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Nagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nagging. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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