nagging

adjective

nag·​ging ˈna-giŋ How to pronounce nagging (audio)
1
: persistently annoying or finding fault with someone
a nagging husband/wife
2
a
: causing continual or recurring worry or anxiety
a nagging fear
This time, the worry is that the housing slowdown will curtail growth before the Federal Reserve gets nagging inflation concerns resolved.Scott Patterson
b
: causing continual or recurring pain or discomfort
He'd had a nagging headache all day.
a nagging injury
naggingly adverb
There has always been something naggingly sad about Bonds' career … Tim Keown
… something about the book feels naggingly familiar, as if you know how it will end before you start … Debra Pickett

Examples of nagging in a Sentence

I have this nagging feeling that something will still go wrong
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
With that reveal, the nagging artificiality of the blueberries scent in the theater clicked into place. James Grebey, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024 Higgins has been dealing with a nagging quad injury and is in danger of missing his second straight game. Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 The flosser’s sonic technology powerfully eliminates plaque and debris, ensuring a brighter smile and fewer nagging reminders from your dentist. Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2024 There was also the nagging question about the sink being dry. Natalie Morales, CBS News, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for nagging 

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nagging was in 1829

Dictionary Entries Near nagging

Cite this Entry

“Nagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nagging. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on nagging

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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