Showing results for "nagging"

• present participle of nag.

nagging

American  

[nag-ing] / ˈnæg ɪŋ /

adjective

1. continually faultfinding, complaining, or petulant.

   a nagging parent.

2. persistently recurring; unrelenting.

   a nagging backache.

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Other Word Forms

• naggingness
  noun
• unnagging
  adjective
• unnaggingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of nagging

First recorded in 1830–40; nag ¹ + -ing ²

Explanation

Something that's nagging really bothers you — whether it's your nagging older sister, reminding you to take out the trash, or a nagging headache that lingers all day. A nagging boss might continually complain about your work — you could also describe her as "overcritical" or "faultfinding." When a physical pain or discomfort is nagging, it's just as disagreeable, tormenting or irritating you in an ongoing way, like a nagging pain in your lower back. The source of nagging is nag, which originally meant "gnaw or bite."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nagging

Another nagging issue is that the company didn’t share much on its plans to return cash to shareholders when its Chips Act-related restrictions lift in December, Naji noted.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026

He moved through his late teen years with a nagging sense he was different from others.

From Slate ● Sep. 22, 2026

"She got stuck into gritty, controversial, but crucial causes partly because she had a fine, natural social conscience, but also to assuage nagging feelings of worthlessness."

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

But, they sometimes seem to harbor a nagging suspicion that their local officials are selling them out for big businesses.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026

A nagging worry lingers in my mind, but his words still pull a smile out of me.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

Related Words

• aching
• agonizing
• excruciating
• grievous
• inflamed
• severe
• terrible
• throbbing
• troublesome