as in annoying
causing annoyance
the pesky problem of what to do with all the leftovers
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Recent Examples of pesky
Let’s go back to paper ballots and eliminate those pesky voting machines.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2026
Caballero, primarily used as a pesky, speedy utilityman throughout his first three seasons with the Mariners, Rays and Yankees, is expected to fill in at short before Volpe returns, possibly sometime in April.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2026
UConn will host Seton Hall on Senior Day at Gampel Pavilion Saturday before completing the regular season at Marquette, which has been pesky lately despite its last-place record.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2026
After being honored for winning the MVP of the All-Star game, Edwards erupted for 40 points, 14 of them coming in the fourth quarter to hold off the pesky Mavericks.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pesky
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2026
Caballero, primarily used as a pesky, speedy utilityman throughout his first three seasons with the Mariners, Rays and Yankees, is expected to fill in at short before Volpe returns, possibly sometime in April.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2026
UConn will host Seton Hall on Senior Day at Gampel Pavilion Saturday before completing the regular season at Marquette, which has been pesky lately despite its last-place record.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2026
After being honored for winning the MVP of the All-Star game, Edwards erupted for 40 points, 14 of them coming in the fourth quarter to hold off the pesky Mavericks.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pesky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesky
Adjective
-
Highs come across with sharpness that doesn't stray toward annoying, and the mids are surprisingly full.—
Eric Zeman,
PC Magazine,
9 Mar. 2026
-
There’s still housing, meals, books and annoying fees.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Flagg finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists, but the Raptors’ eighth-best defense in the NBA sent multiple bodies at him throughout the game and presented an uncomfortable and frustrating playing experience for his first NBA game in Toronto.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
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Caroline’s anguish and her ineffectuality at making progress in finding Gabriel make for some frustrating moments as a reader.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Rather than focusing on clarity with harsh actives, a key component to the glass skin trend is using gentle, non-irritating ingredients that take your skin to a healthier state.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Caustic soda crystals cannot be ingested; baking soda is edible and non-irritating.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pesky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pesky. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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