pesky

adjective

pes·​ky ˈpe-skē How to pronounce pesky (audio)
peskier; peskiest
Synonyms of pesky
: troublesome, vexatious
pesky issues

Examples of pesky in a Sentence

I've been trying to get rid of this pesky cold for weeks. the pesky problem of what to do with all the leftovers
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The first problem for the football-mad nation is the Round of 16 match isn’t taking place on Sunday night due to pesky time zones. Ben Church, CNN Money, 5 July 2026 Lavender The essential oil that gives lavender flowers and foliage their pleasant, calming scent has been shown to repel mosquitoes as well as other pesky insects like fleas, flies, and moths. Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 5 July 2026 Many pantry staples are effective at combating pesky weeds, including baking soda. Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026 This allows workers to blow past the traditional 401(k) contribution limits each year and get around the pesky Roth IRA income limitations. David Rae, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pesky

Word History

Etymology

probably irregular from pest + -y entry 1

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pesky was in 1775

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pesky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pesky. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

pesky

adjective
pes·​ky ˈpes-kē How to pronounce pesky (audio)
peskier; peskiest
peskily
-kə-lē
adverb
peskiness
-kē-nəs
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on pesky

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster