as in annoying
causing annoyance
the pesky problem of what to do with all the leftovers
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pesky
Just a small amount of elbow grease lifts dandelions, thistles, and other kinds of pesky taproot weeds in seconds.
—
Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Mar. 2026
Although the Dodgers’ offense was quieter than in their other wins of the series, their lineup again proved to be pesky.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
Golden State pulled away from there, keeping the pesky Wizards at bay with a flurry of 3-pointers and free throws.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
The Mets’ lineup proved to be quite pesky, scoring again in the fourth, plating three in the fifth and two in the sixth.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pesky
Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Mar. 2026
Although the Dodgers’ offense was quieter than in their other wins of the series, their lineup again proved to be pesky.
—Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
Golden State pulled away from there, keeping the pesky Wizards at bay with a flurry of 3-pointers and free throws.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
The Mets’ lineup proved to be quite pesky, scoring again in the fourth, plating three in the fifth and two in the sixth.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pesky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pesky
Adjective
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Plenty of would-be heroes pass through the inn on their way to save the world, and Nell is responsible for keeping the place running, serving food, and making sure all those annoying questers don’t cause too much chaos.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
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As most Angelenos know, anti-aging efforts come in many annoying forms.—
Rebecca Leib,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The delay has been frustrating, given that a large office-retail building in the complex is ready to open, but the facility can’t receive a certificate of occupancy from the city of Lee’s Summit until the intersection work is finished, Brown said.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
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Now, as a 30-something man who long since had the creativity sapped out of him by life, this was mildly frustrating at first.—
Ian Stokes,
Space.com,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In both Dream Scenario and The Drama, Borgli sides with the maligned, framing those who cast judgment as shrewish and needling (exemplified in The Drama with a deliciously irritating performance from Alana Haim).—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
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Here's where things get a bit irritating.—
Justin Pot,
PC Magazine,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pesky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pesky. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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