Synonyms of pesky

pesky

adjective

ˈpe-skē 

as in annoying

causing annoyance

the pesky problem of what to do with all the leftovers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• annoying
• frustrating
• irritating
• disturbing
• aggravating
• irksome
• vexing
• bothersome
• maddening
• nettlesome
• exasperating
• vexatious
• pestiferous
• pestilential
• pesty
• painful
• abrasive
• pestilent
• plaguey
• galling
• troublesome
• chafing
• rankling
• distractive
• peeving
• nettling
• rebarbative
• carking
• riling
• troubling
• mischievous
• biting
• stressful
• infuriating
• burdensome
• importunate
• displeasing
• upsetting
• disquieting
• distressing
• tiresome
• discomforting
• offensive
• worrisome
• inconveniencing
• enraging
• angering
• thorny
• spiny
• trying
• bratty
• importune
• brattish
• jarring
• grating
• jangling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• delightful
• pleasing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pesky

Bo French, a Republican running for Texas Railroad Commissioner, couldn’t get past all those pesky brown-skinned men invading the stands. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

The plant offers beautiful blue or purple blooms each spring, fending off pesky wildlife like deer while requiring little attention from gardeners. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 16 Sep. 2026

For years, employers have worried about those pesky employer review sites. — Abigail Moncoeur, Hartford Courant, 15 Sep. 2026

The shin-skimming silhouette offers great coverage for formal events, while the pleats hide pesky lines. — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026