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
Scott Patterson
b
: causing continual or recurring pain or discomfort
He'd had a nagging headache all day.
a nagging injury
naggingly
adverb
There has always been something naggingly sad about Bonds' career …
—Tim Keown
Tim Keown
… something about the book feels naggingly familiar, as if you know how it will end before you start …
—Debra Pickett
Debra Pickett
Examples of nagging in a Sentence
I have this nagging feeling that something will still go wrong
Recent Examples on the Web
Homeownership comes with a steady hum of nagging questions — not necessarily urgent, but often debated and almost always unresolved.
—Jessica Elliott, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Despite a season-ending ACL tear sustained by Jimmy Butler and nagging knee soreness hampering Steph Curry, Golden State still has playoff hopes.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2026
The Lions have had their lineup tinkered with due to nagging injuries and conflicting national team practices, but coach Sebastian Alvarado is excited for his playoff veteran group to get another shot at a sectional title.
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
Landry has been dealing with a nagging knee injury since Week 6, while Spillane injured his ankle in last Sunday’s AFC Championship Game win over the Broncos.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nagging
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Jessica Elliott, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Despite a season-ending ACL tear sustained by Jimmy Butler and nagging knee soreness hampering Steph Curry, Golden State still has playoff hopes.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2026
The Lions have had their lineup tinkered with due to nagging injuries and conflicting national team practices, but coach Sebastian Alvarado is excited for his playoff veteran group to get another shot at a sectional title.
—Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
Landry has been dealing with a nagging knee injury since Week 6, while Spillane injured his ankle in last Sunday’s AFC Championship Game win over the Broncos.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nagging
Cite this Entry
“Nagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nagging. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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