Synonyms of pester

pester

verb

ˈpe-stər 

as in to bother

to thrust oneself upon (another) without invitation

one resident pestered the condo board about every little thing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bother
• worry
• annoy
• disturb
• harass
• bug
• irritate
• intrude (upon)
• provoke
• torment
• chivy
• bedevil
• trouble
• aggravate
• exasperate
• vex
• irk
• rile
• dog
• devil
• besiege
• gnaw
• persecute
• invade
• anger
• rankle
• beset
• inconvenience
• dun
• fret
• antagonize
• afflict
• distress
• plague
• perturb
• roil
• infuriate
• get
• beleaguer
• put out
• gall
• inflame
• chafe
• hassle
• agitate
• encroach
• enrage
• pique
• infringe
• cut in (on)
• trespass
• grate
• outrage
• obtrude
• butt in
• peeve
• incense
• rasp
• nettle
• madden

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• leave
• forget
• slight
• disregard
• please
• appease
• placate
• oblige
• disarm
• satisfy
• delight
• gratify
• mollify
• conciliate
• content
• comfort
• console
• gladden

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

Recent Examples of pester

Brush clearance is required nationwide, but local fire departments rarely pester property owners. — Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Homeowners can’t obtain advice or accurate estimates without handing over their phone numbers and risk being pestered by overzealous salespeople. — Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026

In the clip shared on social media, the bird appears poised to go after a second player before veering off at the last moment, then continues pestering several others on the field until the referee is forced to pause the game. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026

Reese pestered Cardoso at the top of the key and tapped rebounds up and out of her reach on the offensive boards. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026