nagging

American  

[nag-ing] / ˈnæg ɪŋ /

adjective

1. continually faultfinding, complaining, or petulant.

   a nagging parent.

2. persistently recurring; unrelenting.

   a nagging backache.

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Other Word Forms

• naggingness noun
• unnagging adjective
• unnaggingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of nagging

First recorded in 1830–40; nag ¹ + -ing ²

Explanation

Something that's nagging really bothers you — whether it's your nagging older sister, reminding you to take out the trash, or a nagging headache that lingers all day. A nagging boss might continually complain about your work — you could also describe her as "overcritical" or "faultfinding." When a physical pain or discomfort is nagging, it's just as disagreeable, tormenting or irritating you in an ongoing way, like a nagging pain in your lower back. The source of nagging is nag, which originally meant "gnaw or bite."

Example Sentences

They may have some nagging concerns and some lingering doubts.

From Slate • Mar. 27, 2026

I was 24 and had this nagging idea to become an actress.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

Baker-Mazara had missed three games last month because of a knee sprain and sat out practices throughout the season because of nagging minor injuries.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026

A good job, then, that she pushed away all nagging feelings that this might have been one Games too many.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

A question kept nagging at me: Why did things have to be this way?

From "Crenshaw" by Katherine Applegate

Related Words

• aching
• agonizing
• excruciating
• grievous
• inflamed
• severe
• terrible
• throbbing
• troublesome