Synonyms of nagging

nagging 1 of 2

adjective

ˈna-giŋ 

as in disturbing

causing worry or anxiety

I have this nagging feeling that something will still go wrong

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disturbing
• unsettling
• troubling
• troublesome
• nasty
• frightening
• distressing
• worrisome
• upsetting
• scary
• disquieting
• discomforting
• terrible
• perturbing
• horrible
• troublous
• discouraging
• shocking
• terrifying
• discomposing
• dread
• dire
• disconcerting
• demoralizing
• daunting
• dismaying
• direful
• dreadful
• alarming
• dispiriting
• fearful
• chilling
• discomfiting
• disheartening
• formidable
• forbidding
• horrifying
• harassing
• persecutory
• ghastly
• horrendous
• fearsome
• frightful
• intimidating
• persecutive
• hair-raising

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• reassuring
• settling
• soothing
• calming
• comforting
• narcotic
• relaxing
• quieting
• dreamy
• inviting
• sedative
• tranquilizing
• consoling
• lulling
• pacifying

nagging

2 of 2

verb

present participle of nag

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

• urging
• begging
• bothering
• hounding
• needling
• dogging
• annoying
• badgering
• picking at
• pecking (at)
• henpecking
• pestering
• harassing
• bugging
• nitpicking
• plaguing
• pushing
• prodding
• prompting
• vexing
• hassling
• spurring
• insisting
• goading
• irking
• harrying
• pleading
• coaxing
• fussing (about or over)
• cajoling
• pressuring
• inciting
• exhorting
• wheedling
• egging
• riding
• carping (at)
• baiting
• yapping (at)
• importuning
• chivying
• pressing
• blandishing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• complimenting
• praising
• recommending
• commending
• touting
• extolling
• applauding
• lauding
• building up
• eulogizing
• acclaiming

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

• complaining
• screaming
• whining
• moaning
• muttering
• grumbling
• worrying
• whimpering
• growling
• bitching
• kicking
• yammering
• grousing
• squealing
• murmuring
• griping
• squawking
• carping
• crying
• wailing
• hollering
• whinging
• yowling
• bleating
• bellyaching
• repining
• beefing
• grouching
• keening
• kvetching
• inveighing
• fussing
• grumping
• grizzling
• caterwauling
• crabbing
• protesting
• yawping
• croaking
• maundering
• kicking up a fuss
• sobbing
• quibbling
• quarreling (with)
• objecting (to)
• fretting
• stewing
• lamenting
• blubbering
• caviling
• bewailing
• bemoaning
• deploring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rejoicing
• delighting
• enduring
• accepting
• taking
• bearing
• tolerating
• crowing
• cheering
• applauding
• commending
• countenancing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nagging

Adjective

But for those who find (and in some cases may be slightly mystified as to why) that there is a nagging, needling value to Schrader’s ongoing project of tussling with grandiose dilemmas of transgression and deliverance, there is some new news here. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026

That happened during the Winter Meetings in December, when the Yankees manager pointed out that the center fielder played through a nagging hamstring injury while recording -11 Defensive Runs Saved and -2 Outs Above Average, career-lows, in 2025. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

His one rule for guests is to chase whatever task is nagging at them, but to resist sneaking in actual work. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026

The Minnesota Wild players are not playing hockey right now and still have a what-if nagging at them about injuries. — Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 25 May 2026