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

But while Reid will no doubt rest Pacheco and anyone else dealing with nagging injuries heading into the postseason, there is also the risk of rust setting in among starters who get such a long break. —Dave Skretta, The Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2024

The Athletic reported that the Clippers are targeting Jan. 4 for his return from a nagging knee injury. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 27 Dec. 2024

Diggs, on the other hand, has been dealing with a nagging groin injury that has kept him out of action. —James Brizuela, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024

But Reus is dealing with a nagging groin issue and Fagúndez hasn’t started a game or played more than 17 minutes in one since mid-September. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1