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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of nagging
Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
But for me, that always meant avoiding some nagging injury.
—Mark Woods, Florida Times-Union, 6 Feb. 2026
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
The two nagging exceptions revolve around Epstein and affordability.
—Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nagging
Adjective
The Lions have had their lineup tinkered with due to nagging injuries and conflicting national team practices, but coach Sebastian Alvarado is excited for his playoff veteran group to get another shot at a sectional title.
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
But for me, that always meant avoiding some nagging injury.
—Mark Woods, Florida Times-Union, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
Seek’s application for potassium permanganate solves a nagging issue for the denim industry, but the flexibility of the organic bleaching system is wide reaching.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
The two nagging exceptions revolve around Epstein and affordability.
—Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nagging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nagging
Adjective
-
But the extent of our housing affordability crisis is more disturbing than ever before.—
Margi Glavovic Nothard,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Beginning with a montage of news footage from the day — the notorious May 1985 European Cup final between Italian club Juventus and English rivals Liverpool — the film’s open text informs viewers, or rather warns them, that disturbing historical images may follow.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Sierra Avalanche Center reports high avalanche risk through at least this morning, urging people to avoid travel in or below avalanche terrain.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
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The Pima County sheriff took the unusual step of publicly clearing the family as suspects, urging the public to show compassion toward the victims.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Cover your ears, look away, or grab a hot dog — after all, not every artist is for everyone, and complaining won’t change that.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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Many suits came from roofing and paving companies, architects, lumber suppliers and similar businesses complaining that Ferrigno’s company never paid them for materials and labor at his various housing construction sites in Avon and Simsbury.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Still, that didn’t make the lore of Savannah any less bizarre, unsettling and riveting.—
Adam Kuehl,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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But Duvall works on a different frequency, making the corporate machinery of the network feel even more unsettling than the chaos on camera.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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First there was Norwegian’s Sturla Holm Lægreid confessing to cheating on his girlfriend during a live interview after winning the bronze medal and tearfully begging her to come back (shockingly, humiliating his ex on national television didn’t work).—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
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The current crop, by contrast, has been begging visitors to crawl back into the light.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Over the past few years, LaBeouf has managed to keep his screaming to a minimal and (mostly) onscreen habit.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Running, screaming, and after sliding on my knees.—
Patrick Snell,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But what is more troubling is that this mayor is doing what previous mayors have done — passing responsibility to Albany to reform the system.—
Arthur Russell,
New York Daily News,
20 Feb. 2026
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The decree, the group said, is a troubling sign of how the media could be treated both during and after the first election planned in a decade.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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One Florida resident reportedly hired a local mover without bothering to determine if the company was licensed, only to run into a boatload of trouble.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
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If your knee is bothering you, for instance, the vibration might distract your brain enough for the pain to temporarily retreat.—
Jennifer Heimlich,
Time,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nagging. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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