badger 1 of 2

verb

Definition of badgernext
as in to tease
to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders He's always badgering me about the dishes.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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badger

2 of 2

noun

as in rabbit
the pelt or fur of a badger The boutique features a variety of scarfs, including badger, fox, and ermine.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word badger distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of badger are bait, chivy, heckle, hector, and hound. While all these words mean "to harass by efforts to break down," badger implies pestering so as to drive a person to confusion or frenzy.

badgered her father for a car

When could bait be used to replace badger?

The words bait and badger are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bait implies wanton cruelty or delight in persecuting a helpless victim.

baited the chained dog

When might chivy be a better fit than badger?

The words chivy and badger can be used in similar contexts, but chivy suggests persecution by teasing or nagging.

chivied the new student mercilessly

When is it sensible to use heckle instead of badger?

The synonyms heckle and badger are sometimes interchangeable, but heckle implies persistent annoying or belligerent interruptions of a speaker.

drunks heckled the stand-up comic

In what contexts can hector take the place of badger?

Although the words hector and badger have much in common, hector carries an implication of bullying and domineering.

football players hectored by their coach

When would hound be a good substitute for badger?

The meanings of hound and badger largely overlap; however, hound implies unrelenting pursuit and harassing.

hounded by creditors

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of badger
Verb
Public figures like multi-hyphenate Bette Midler, who was often badgered on X over her liberal politics, left Musk’s site after the election ended. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 13 Nov. 2024 When Loomer posted a video of her badgering Florida governor Ron DeSantis, Trump’s campaign challenger, the former president shared it. —David Gilbert, WIRED, 18 Sep. 2024
Noun
This badger, likely also drawn in by the promise of a snack, was on the prowl. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025 Coffee badgers are often turned in by co-workers who resent having to comply with office attendance directives while others evade them, Nickson said. —Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for badger
Recent Examples of Synonyms for badger
  1. tease
  2. rabbit
  3. hound
  4. fox
  5. raccoon
  6. marten
  7. otter
  8. beaver
Verb
  • DeVito first teased a potential reunion with Schwarzenegger in November 2023.
    — Jen Juneau, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Trump had teased last November plans to impose tariffs on U.S. neighbors.
    — Anna Giaritelli, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of tease
Noun
  • The state of South Dakota has two species of jackrabbits, which are actually hares and have longer ears and bigger bodies than rabbits.
    — John Raby, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Most have a bulbous tip that doubles as a clit vibrator, while others are dual-ended rabbit vibrators that can stimulate two hot spots at once.
    — Gabrielle Kassel, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of rabbit
Verb
  • Others, however, heralded the show as an aspirational escape, and hit back at detractors for continuing to hound a woman who has been open about the effects of public bullying.
    — Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
  • In the novel, Adichie vividly imagines the lawyerly grilling, the media hounding, the experience of being ambushed and isolated.
    — Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of hound
Noun
  • Gray foxes are said to reside here along with reptiles like the smooth green snake and eastern milk snake, as well as numerous birds, including the Virginian rail, Henslow’s sparrow, bobolink and eastern meadowlark.
    — Susan DeGrane, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Follow these tips from Pierce and Owen to keep foxes at a safe distance: Be aware that foxes are part of the landscape.
    — Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of fox
Noun
  • First, try to eliminate what attracts the raccoons by ensuring the landscaping is trimmed correctly, the trash is secured, and the area is kept clean.
    — Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
  • After Peanut allegedly bit a person involved in the DEC’s seizure of the squirrel and raccoon, they were both euthanized to test for rabies, the departments said at the time.
    — Bailey Richards, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of raccoon
Noun
  • This acquisition will improve the habitat for Wisconsin’s endangered American marten, which has been facing a dwindling habitat.
    — Noël Fletcher, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
  • With their larger competitors out of the way, the smaller, less numerous martens had some breathing room.
    — Siddhant Pusdekar, Journal Sentinel, 5 July 2024
Definition of marten
Noun
  • Moments later, the otter resurfaced and the mom rescued her child out of the water.
    — Rebekah Riess, CNN, 14 Sep. 2024
  • The otter continued to attack as the mother struggled to pull her child from the water at Bremerton Marina, and she was bitten on the arm by the animal.
    — Brie Stimson, Fox News, 14 Sep. 2024
Definition of otter
Noun
  • Else joins a growing Fandor catalog which also features the breakout picture Hundreds of Beaver about a drunken applejack salesman who morphs into North America’s greatest fur trapper by defeating hundreds of beavers.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Sometimes, it’s interrupted by a beaver wrestling match in the audience.
    — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of beaver

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“Badger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/badger. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on badger

Nglish: Translation of badger for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about badger

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