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
Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Schertz also revealed about a week ago that his MVP has been dealing with a nagging foot injury, though Avila has not missed a game.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
The irritation has been consistent and nagging enough that his production and impact have lagged.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nagging
Adjective
The constant, nagging need to hunt for a coffee shop Wi-Fi password just to save a few megabytes.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Schertz also revealed about a week ago that his MVP has been dealing with a nagging foot injury, though Avila has not missed a game.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
Something else had been nagging at him, too.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
The irritation has been consistent and nagging enough that his production and impact have lagged.
—Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nagging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nagging
Adjective
-
Most disturbing, the largest net loss of IRS filers continues to be among young adults.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
-
So, yes, Reingold’s story identified some disturbing failures.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
On Sunday morning, Haidar Abdul-Samad, deputy director of Basra’s Shalamcha border crossing with Iran, was on the phone with an Iranian official, complaining about electricity cuts that had halted trade, urging a quick resolution.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
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In a video lesson, psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk emphasizes the importance of compassion when interacting with trauma survivors, highlighting that seemingly negative behaviors may be coping mechanisms for deep emotional pain and urging us to consider their struggles before passing judgment.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rather than complaining and predicting economic ruin, Americans treated rationing as noble.—
Gil Troy,
New York Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Some Toyota fans reacted poorly to the announcement, complaining about the loss of the hybrid version of the Highlander that Toyota has marketed since 2005.—
Keith Laing,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The unsolved nature of the Bradley case is unsettling, to say the least.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Skeptics point out oral exams can be unsettling for students who are shy or have serious anxiety, but clarifying the format ahead of time and starting with softball questions can help, says Carolyn Aslan, who leads Cornell’s oral exam training.—
Jocelyn Gecker,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
These questions linger as Ion goes about his day, looking for work, begging for change, and scarfing down a meal—moments that flash by in quick, propulsive blips.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The officer was able to keep distance between himself and Jones, while Jones’ sister could be heard screaming and begging police not to shoot him, according to the footage.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Authorities say Valdez had multiple untreated mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, and that he had been seen in Concord earlier in the day screaming at cars.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Williams was celebrating an offensive foul called against Doncic by gleefully screaming in Doncic's personal space.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
His lack of potency was especially troubling since the Kings seemed to get only one line to heat up at a time.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
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In short, the experiments paint a troubling picture of the security implications of letting AI models loose on entire operating systems.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Like, cool, got the game, but now the TV feels small, and suddenly the thermostat situation is bothering you, too.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Eventually, the girl let on that her classmate had indeed been bothering her, poking her in the back and face with his fingers — but did not say the boy had threatened to kill her, according to the police report.—
Jeff Ernsthausen,
ProPublica,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nagging. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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