Synonyms of nag

nag 1 of 2

noun

as in horse

a large hoofed domestic animal that is used for carrying or drawing loads and for riding

a poor farmer who could only afford one old nag

Synonyms & Similar Words

• horse
• stallion
• filly
• colt
• racehorse
• steed
• equine
• pony
• mare
• dun
• gelding
• foal
• chestnut
• bay
• roan
• mount
• packhorse
• mustang
• black
• bronco
• warhorse
• trotter
• sorrel
• equid
• quarter horse
• hack
• saddle horse
• cow pony
• pinto
• workhorse
• palomino
• charger
• buckskin
• skewbald
• courser
• cob
• hackney
• prancer
• skate
• jade
• dobbin
• cutting horse
• galloper
• plug

nag

2 of 2

verb

ˈnag 

1

as in to urge

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

• urge
• beg
• bother
• dog
• hound
• annoy
• needle
• henpeck
• pick at
• peck (at)
• badger
• harass
• pester
• irk
• push
• bug
• vex
• insist
• plague
• goad
• prompt
• spur
• fuss (about or over)
• cajole
• carp (at)
• plead
• egg
• nitpick
• hassle
• exhort
• harry
• ride
• prod
• incite
• pressure
• coax
• bait
• wheedle
• chivy
• importune
• yap (at)
• blandish
• press

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• compliment
• recommend
• commend
• praise
• laud
• tout
• applaud
• build up
• extol
• eulogize
• acclaim

2

as in to complain

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

• complain
• scream
• whine
• moan
• worry
• mutter
• grumble
• bitch
• kick
• growl
• whimper
• squawk
• squeal
• cry
• holler
• murmur
• grouse
• gripe
• whinge
• inveigh
• kvetch
• wail
• keen
• bleat
• repine
• yammer
• bellyache
• beef
• grouch
• carp
• fuss
• grump
• crab
• grizzle
• kick up a fuss
• caterwaul
• croak
• yowl
• maunder
• protest
• yawp
• sob
• object (to)
• cavil
• quibble
• quarrel (with)
• fret
• lament
• stew
• bewail
• bemoan
• blubber
• deplore

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rejoice
• delight
• accept
• take
• tolerate
• endure
• bear
• crow
• cheer
• commend
• applaud
• countenance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nag

Noun

But in the final moments, when Carol is back in her coach seat on the plane, something nags at her. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025

Darius Dotch has been invariably impressive on area stages over the past several years, but he’s handicapped by Shider making Hines’ husband a one-note nag. — Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025

Verb

The question nagged at me for months; no single explanation—psychological, political, or otherwise—felt completely satisfying. — Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026

His advice for a session is to chase whatever task is nagging at you, but resist the temptation to sneak in actual work. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026