nagging

adjective

nag·​ging ˈna-giŋ 

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

ˈna-giŋ-lē 

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

Synonyms

• discomforting
• discomposing
• disquieting
• distressing
• disturbing
• nasty
• perturbing
• troublesome
• troubling
• troublous
• unsettling
• upsetting
• worrisome

Examples of nagging in a Sentence

I have this nagging feeling that something will still go wrong

Recent Examples on the Web

Adding to Rodriguez’s extreme profile is a nagging thumb injury that last year limited him to 47 games before September surgery, but he’s expected to be ready for spring training. —Aaron Gleeman, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025

One of the top scorers in the country last season, Reynolds had to overcome a nagging hand injury and had to find comfort in his role along with the other newcomers. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2025

The veteran tight end, a 2021 third-round pick, was set up for a huge season in his fourth year, but nagging hamstring and back injuries hindered his production dating all the way back to the summer. —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2025

After coming back from a nagging calf injury, Bronny has been fun to watch. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1