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.

As Enchassi waited to learn his friend’s fate, a thought kept nagging at him—an impulse he felt ashamed of, but found impossible to ignore.

From Slate • Apr. 19, 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

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

I was 24 and had this nagging idea to become an actress.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

Mostly, she could not quiet the nagging voice that said, No one will believe you.

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz

nagging

Example Sentences

Related Words