Thesaurus results for BADGER

Q: How is the word 'badger' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of badger are bait , chivy , heckle , hector , and hound . While all these words mean "to harass by efforts to break down," badger implies pestering so as to drive a person to confusion or frenzy. // badgered her father for a car

Q: When could 'bait' be used to replace 'badger'?

The words bait and badger are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bait implies wanton cruelty or delight in persecuting a helpless victim. // baited the chained dog

Q: When might 'chivy' be a better fit than 'badger'?

The words chivy and badger can be used in similar contexts, but chivy suggests persecution by teasing or nagging. // chivied the new student mercilessly

Q: When is it sensible to use 'heckle' instead of 'badger'?

The synonyms heckle and badger are sometimes interchangeable, but heckle implies persistent annoying or belligerent interruptions of a speaker. // drunks heckled the stand-up comic

Q: In what contexts can 'hector' take the place of 'badger'?

Although the words hector and badger have much in common, hector carries an implication of bullying and domineering. // football players hectored by their coach

Q: When would 'hound' be a good substitute for 'badger'?

The meanings of hound and badger largely overlap; however, hound implies unrelenting pursuit and harassing. // hounded by creditors

badger 1 of 2

verb

Definition of badger next

as in to tease

to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders He's always badgering me about the dishes.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

badger

2 of 2

noun

as in rabbit

the pelt or fur of a badger The boutique features a variety of scarfs, including badger, fox, and ermine.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word badger distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of badger are bait, chivy, heckle, hector, and hound. While all these words mean "to harass by efforts to break down," badger implies pestering so as to drive a person to confusion or frenzy.

badgered her father for a car

When could bait be used to replace badger?

The words bait and badger are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bait implies wanton cruelty or delight in persecuting a helpless victim.

baited the chained dog

When might chivy be a better fit than badger?

The words chivy and badger can be used in similar contexts, but chivy suggests persecution by teasing or nagging.

chivied the new student mercilessly

When is it sensible to use heckle instead of badger?

The synonyms heckle and badger are sometimes interchangeable, but heckle implies persistent annoying or belligerent interruptions of a speaker.

drunks heckled the stand-up comic

In what contexts can hector take the place of badger?

Although the words hector and badger have much in common, hector carries an implication of bullying and domineering.

football players hectored by their coach

When would hound be a good substitute for badger?

The meanings of hound and badger largely overlap; however, hound implies unrelenting pursuit and harassing.

hounded by creditors

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of badger

Verb

Messages go from clever to badgering Concerns about voter information have become a big issue in close presidential elections. —

Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 2 Nov. 2024 The lawyer said Ephron had been badgering Mayers for money and initiated a physical altercation at the meeting in question. —

Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2024

Noun

Parents with Gen Alpha kids may not be surprised since this age group is known to be curious, strong-willed (they have been compared to honey badgers for a reason), and tech-savvy. —

Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 20 Oct. 2024 Pine martens and badgers are OK company, but none of them know how to operate a can opener or scratch behind your ears. —

Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for badger

Recent Examples of Synonyms for badger

Verb

Parker previously teased what's to come on Instagram in early May by showing two scripts from a table read along with a place card for her character.

Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 12 Dec. 2024
Courtesy of Google At last year’s Google I/O, Google teased smart glasses that could caption real-world conversations, a feature that's helpful for people with hearing loss.

Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2024