Synonym Chooser

How does the verb pester contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pester are annoy, harass, harry, plague, tease, and worry. While all these words mean "to disturb or irritate by persistent acts," pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks.

constantly pestered with trivial complaints

When could annoy be used to replace pester?

The words annoy and pester can be used in similar contexts, but annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks.

you're doing that just to annoy me

When can harass be used instead of pester?

In some situations, the words harass and pester are roughly equivalent. However, harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power.

harassed on all sides by creditors

When would harry be a good substitute for pester?

Although the words harry and pester have much in common, harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment.

the strikers had been harried by thugs

In what contexts can plague take the place of pester?

The words plague and pester are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, plague implies a painful and persistent affliction.

plagued all her life by poverty

When might tease be a better fit than pester?

While in some cases nearly identical to pester, tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath.

children teased the dog

When is worry a more appropriate choice than pester?

The meanings of worry and pester largely overlap; however, worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation.

pursued a policy of worrying the enemy

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 pester Schroder, with his hounding pressure, continues to pester opposing guards. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025 After the picnic, the brother and sister have some fun by pestering a neighboring cat. Esther K. Choy, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025 New York struggled with the pestering Indiana defense, leading to 17 turnovers as a team. Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 31 May 2025 The superstar center also turned the ball over five times, as Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault pestered him with one last adjustment. Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for pester
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pester
bother
Verb
  • There’s something delicious about sipping lemonade after a dip in the pool, looking down from the balcony at the day-trippers all hot and bothered below.
    Richard Godwin, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2025
  • That really bothers me more than anything else; that bothers me more than even being excluded.
    Max Gao, Variety, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pester.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pester. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on pester

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