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Definitions

nagging

[nag-ing] / ˈnæg ɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
painful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aching agonizing excruciating grievous inflamed severe terrible throbbing troublesome
STRONG
biting burning distressing harrowing hurting irritated piercing saddening smarting stinging tender tormenting trying
WEAK
achy afflictive arduous awful caustic difficult dire disagreeable distasteful dreadful extreme extremely bad hard hurtful laborious raw sensitive sharp sore tedious uncomfortable unpleasant vexatious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
easy good helpful nice pleasant
STRONG
mild

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.

They may have some nagging concerns and some lingering doubts.

From Slate • Mar. 27, 2026

Hernández acknowledged Tuesday that he played through a nagging left groin injury last year, which forced him to miss time early in the season.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have been a nagging worry across financial markets for months, with recent jitters pushing up the “risk premium” in the price of oil.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 18, 2026

Her nagging conscience slips into offhand conversation: “I should probably be vegan,” Askell, an animal lover too busy for a pet, says when chatting in an office elevator.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

She took the ticket stub from me, and thankfully it seemed to do the trick as she stopped nagging me.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler