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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of nagging
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
When Liverpool, England, debuted new Stadler trains in 2023, the fleet had nagging issues, such as windshield wipers failing to work and doors opening on the wrong side of the train.
—
Aj Willingham,
AJC.com,
10 June 2026
Tom Dougherty,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Marsh declined to offer specifics regarding the lower body injuries nagging Stevens and Westbeld, neither of whom participated in scrimmaging during the final half-hour of training camp made available to the media.
—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nagging
Adjective
Jude Bellingham — England/Real Madrid Between nagging injuries and adjusting his midfield role to accommodate Mbappe and Vinicius in front of him, Bellingham’s final third output has dipped significantly from his blistering debut season at Real Madrid.
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Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
When Liverpool, England, debuted new Stadler trains in 2023, the fleet had nagging issues, such as windshield wipers failing to work and doors opening on the wrong side of the train.
—
Aj Willingham,
AJC.com,
10 June 2026
Verb
Realmuto has dealt with nagging back and foot injuries this season.
—
Tom Dougherty,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Marsh declined to offer specifics regarding the lower body injuries nagging Stevens and Westbeld, neither of whom participated in scrimmaging during the final half-hour of training camp made available to the media.
—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nagging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nagging
Adjective
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There were many disturbing parts of Kerstin’s story left unpursued.
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The film is a modern take on the creature horror film told from the perspective of a young boy who slowly begins to discover that his beloved parents are hiding a disturbing secret about his mother’s true nature.
Verb
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Your 10th House of Career and Status receives Jupiter, urging long-range vision and public progress that grows through structure.
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City officials are urging residents to take the heat seriously.
Verb
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But John Healey stepped down as defense secretary this month after complaining that Starmer was not moving fast enough to meet the target.
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Still, some users are complaining online.
Adjective
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The New York Times reported that multiple women who once dated Platner described the Maine oysterman’s behavior as intimidating and unsettling.
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This move, by a native of the attention economy, signals a growing trend of users actively disengaging, unsettling consumer investors.
Verb
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Its dressing—creamy from mayonnaise, subtly sweet from a touch of sugar—is begging for the pickle's salty acidity.
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The 2026 Toyota Crown is a tame but stylish family car, neither begging you to go off-road or to step on it around country mountains, but instead being an all-around great hauler with the quality Toyota’s known for.
Verb
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The couple’s relationship began with a friendship bracelet and a podcast shout-out in July 2023, and by September Swift was screaming profanities in support of her new favorite football player.
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As Rayan began screaming, al-Ajeen, whose family has long farmed in the area, picked up his son and began walking again.
Adjective
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The June 14 shooting has outraged community members and prompted protests in the small town of Senatobia, where residents point to a string of troubling encounters with police in recent years.
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This year’s line-hardening—by my count, some twenty-three per cent of cases—is both remarkable and troubling.
Verb
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That shift may help explain why some couples notice their partner’s scent bothering them more during periods of conflict.
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The chest pain that had been bothering her finally let up.
Cite this Entry
“Nagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nagging. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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