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
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
Additionally, a nagging knee issue required surgery in October.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
The one nagging doubt about him is his durability.
—Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nagging
Adjective
But one nagging question remains.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
Additionally, a nagging knee issue required surgery in October.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
Lozano has had an up-and-down season, limited to 22 starts (out of 34 MLS games) by nagging hamstring injuries, logging nine goals and 10 assists but growing visibly frustrated on the field with incessant fouling by opponents and tactical congestion.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
The one nagging doubt about him is his durability.
—Sukhman Singh, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nagging
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nagging
Adjective
-
According to The Marshall Project, federal officers fired on at least nine people in their vehicles over a four-month period, evidence of a disturbing pattern.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Zhang was quickly identified as a suspect based on her allegedly increasingly disturbing behavior, according to authorities.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The nonprofit is urging donors to make an appointment to give blood or to go to a blood drive.—
Ciara McCarthy
January 27,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Earlier this week, 60 CEOs in Minnesota wrote a letter published by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce urging deescalation.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But the same town also was sued in November by Stillson LLC, a company complaining because zoners approved an 8-30g project.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
11 Jan. 2026
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From bartenders in Virginia-Highland to servers in Alpharetta, several employees of food and drink businesses reported customers complaining about water that tastes like mildew.—
Sheeka Sanahori - For the AJC,
AJC.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
On the unsettling meme economy in the aftermath of violence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Uncertainty can be unsettling nonetheless.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of calling and begging somebody else to change.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
21 Jan. 2026
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Nearly two decades into her career, Courtney Marie Andrews remains a troubadour of singular sincerity, more interested in listening to the world than begging the world to listen.—
Lily Goldberg,
Pitchfork,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Under the watchful eye of sheriffs deputies who threatened to ticket anyone caught standing in the road, along with a small number of National Guard members, the protesters took turns screaming swears and warming up in nearby parked cars.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
28 Jan. 2026
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An exodus of prosecutors who didn’t care for his staff screaming sessions and boorish press conferences.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Recent casting decisions around the character Zoe Gutierrez in A 24’s Deep Cuts have exposed a troubling pattern.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
30 Jan. 2026
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The last two days have forced me to take a very hard look at my own troubling flaws.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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Is a man bothering you at a bar?—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nagging. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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