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

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."

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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.

Looking ahead: Powell, in his final press conference, admitted inflation is still a nagging problem five years after it spiked, but he said he sees no signs the economy is sputtering.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

“He still has something nagging, it’s upper-body stuff,” Chesney said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

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

Now he was experiencing jolts of anxiety, nagging doubts: He could not shake off the fear that it was all going to go wrong.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

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