Synonyms

nagging

American

[nag-ing] / ˈnæg ɪŋ /

adjective

continually faultfinding, complaining, or petulant.

a nagging parent.
persistently recurring; unrelenting.

a nagging backache.

Other Word Forms

naggingness noun
unnagging adjective
unnaggingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of nagging

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Bhaduri, 88, now lives in a retirement facility, a few blocks away from his maternal home that is no longer welcoming of him, with nagging geriatric health issues and in the company of memories.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

They may have some nagging concerns and some lingering doubts.

From Slate • Mar. 27, 2026

That leaves various nagging questions for Adobe investors — ones that are “are unlikely to be resolved in the near term,” according to Bhatia.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

Baker-Mazara had missed three games last month because of a knee sprain and sat out practices throughout the season because of nagging minor injuries.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026

But there was something nagging deep inside of me that grew stronger by the moment.

From "The Rock and the River" by Kekla Magoon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023