PESKY Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

pesky

adjective

ˈpe-skē

Definition of pesky

as in annoying

causing annoyance the pesky problem of what to do with all the leftovers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of pesky Some mornings call for brightening dark circles, while others require extra depuffing or help smoothing pesky fine lines. — Vivien Lee, InStyle, 15 Oct. 2026 Never mind the pesky numeral—or, for that matter, the actual order in which the cars arrived. — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026 He gets dinged for a pesky OWI, loses his job at CBS, and then gets outed by some nark in Oklahoma. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 But most observers recognize that those channels will be milked for cash, with wide cuts expected as the company seeks to harvest the revenue from carriage fees and redistribute to other priorities, like streaming, and paying down that pesky debt. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pesky

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesky

Adjective

Imagine a congressional coalition formed by kicking out the lawmakers, on either side, who are annoying—the Ted Cruzes and the John Fettermans.

— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Indeed, the survey showed that use of the horn is the most common action when drivers consider another driver to be annoying or angering them.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of annoying

Adjective

Make no mistake, Sweeney inherits a talented but frustrating team.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Frustrating process to get assistance However, the new program will not launch until December, and some residents say a lack of clarity surrounding the assistance has made navigating the process frustrating.

— Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of frustrating

Adjective

But for this initial step, Pierre tells mature patients to find a formula that’s gentle, non-irritating, and—if needed—able to remove makeup.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
The cold temperature will slow down the enzymes and ease the irritating effects.

— Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of irritating

Browse Nearby Words

pervs

pesky

pessimism

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“Pesky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pesky. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pesky

adjective

Example Sentences

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