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
Matt Moret, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Mitchell sat out his fourth straight game with a nagging groin strain.
—CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for nagging
Adjective
On a more optimistic note for fans, Trout has spoken positively during spring training about his recovery from a series of nagging knee injuries.
—Matt Moret, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Mitchell sat out his fourth straight game with a nagging groin strain.
—CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
Rodman took time away from the game last summer to heal from a nagging back issue, then dealt with other minor injuries to close out the Spirit’s season.
—Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for nagging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nagging
Adjective
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What followed was even more disturbing.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
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That would be a particularly disturbing piece of real hate mail Kubrin received late last year after she was quoted in a news story about immigration and crime.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The intuitive Moon squares Saturn, pitting your 3rd House of Distractions against your 6th House of Pragmatism, urging specific words, meticulous timing, and sensible boundaries.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
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The rest of the team departed Sydney Tuesday for Malaysia, arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where video posted to social media showed members of the Iranian community urging them not to return to Iran.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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What was once a vibrant part of the downtown has largely been abandoned by shoppers, and businesses are complaining about the lack of parking.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
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On the hottest of hot Disney theme park days, a portable fan can be a great way to cool off and minimize complaining from the littlest members of your group.—
Terri Peters,
Parents,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Baltimore City Office of the Inspector General released an unsettling report about spending from the mayor’s office over a three-and-a-half-year period (July 2022 through November 2025).—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Mar. 2026
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Key themes in her work include environmental catastrophe, belief, and the strange and unsettling aspects of human life.—
Joy Williams,
The Dial,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Watching Jalen Brunson flopping the other night and watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander begging for calls like a Premier League player was like watching a championship fight.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
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Savannah and her siblings have posted several impassioned pleas to their mother's kidnapper, begging the person to let Nancy go.—
Daysia Tolentino,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Police were called to Access Self Storage at 7000 Southwest 22nd Court on March 1 after an employee reported hearing a man inside a unit screaming and asking for medical attention, according to the report.—
David Goodhue
March 10,
Miami Herald,
10 Mar. 2026
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During cross-examination of Kaley in February, a Meta lawyer played footage of her mother screaming at her that the teen had posted to social media, and displayed Kaley’s lower-case Instagram story rants about her home life.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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So far from a reset, Noem’s removal is a retrenching — an effort to remove our focus from the deeply troubling link between immigration policy and the threat to democracy while actually grinding forward on that dark path.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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The removal of exhibits by NPS has become a troubling trend sadly.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Mass incarceration has led to a fast-growing bloc of citizens who either are legally barred from voting or have just stopped bothering.—
Kevin B. Smith,
The Conversation,
2 Mar. 2026
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Stop bothering me with things that don’t make sense.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nagging. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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