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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.

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

He sat out practices ahead of Big Ten play and dealt with what was deemed a nagging neck injury, only to show up in the lineup against Michigan and Michigan State.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 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

Something had been nagging at her ever since Iorek Byrnison had first mentioned Iofur’s name, and now it came back: what Iofur Raknison wanted more than anything else, Professor Trelawney had said, was a daemon.

From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman