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

That makes Kohler hopeful that the nagging feeling she’s had since her sister’s death, of having to do more to make a difference, may one day be satisfied. —Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 14 June 2024

Yet beneath the pride and pomp, there will be nagging doubts, not least about the direction of American politics. —Mark Landler, New York Times, 2 June 2024

Anna pops up throughout the episode as a kind of nagging conscience for Mike, asking about his mom and whether the cops ever caught and punished her killer. —Noel Murray, Vulture, 9 June 2024

By all accounts, the investigator was uniquely suited to win over those looking to pay someone to snuff out their cheating wife, nagging husband, or greedy business partner. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 7 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1