nagging
Relentlessly finding fault
Nagging describes persistent, repetitive complaining or urging that wears on the recipient: Her nagging finally got him to fix the fence.
A nagging person badgers others about tasks or behavior.
The word extends to anything that persists annoyingly—a nagging cough, a nagging doubt, a nagging pain.
To nag is to engage in this kind of persistent pestering.
Persistent harassment or nagging
- houndingPersistently pursuing or pressuring
- hasslingPersistent irritating pressure
- botheringCausing irritation repeatedly
- nudgingLight push to prompt
prodding · pressuring · needling · chivvying · goading · urging · importuning · dunning
Judgment of faults
- faultfindingSeeking out imperfections
- nitpickingExcessive focus on trivialities
- carpingTrivial persistent criticism
- gripingVoicing persistent complaints
whining · grumbling · scolding · berating · hectoring · haranguing · reproaching · chiding
Continuing without pause
- constantFixed, unvarying quantity
- incessantNever pausing or stopping
- unrelentingRefusing to let up
- recurringHappening repeatedly over time
lingering · persistent · continual · perpetual · gnawing · unremitting · ongoing · chronic
Persistent dull discomfort
- sorenessTender, painful sensation
- throbbingRhythmic painful pulsing
- twingeBrief, sharp sensation
- dullLacking edge or interest
persistent · chronic · backache · headache · stiffness · discomfort · tenderness · pang
Troubled mental state
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- uneaseMild persistent worry
- misgivingUneasy feeling of doubt
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
concern · apprehension · uncertainty · disquiet · qualm · premonition · foreboding · niggling
badgering
Persistent harassment or nagging
- houndingPersistently pursuing or pressuring
- hasslingPersistent irritating pressure
- botheringCausing irritation repeatedly
nudging · prodding · pressuring · needling · chivvying · goading · urging · importuning · dunning · plaguing
criticism
Judgment of faults
- faultfindingSeeking out imperfections
- nitpickingExcessive focus on trivialities
- carpingTrivial persistent criticism
griping · whining · grumbling · scolding · berating · hectoring · haranguing · reproaching · chiding · caviling
relentless
Continuing without pause
- constantFixed, unvarying quantity
- incessantNever pausing or stopping
- unrelentingRefusing to let up
recurring · lingering · persistent · continual · perpetual · gnawing · unremitting · ongoing · chronic · repetitive
ache
Persistent dull discomfort
dull · persistent · chronic · backache · headache · stiffness · discomfort · tenderness · pang · shooting
worry
Troubled mental state
anxiety · concern · apprehension · uncertainty · disquiet · qualm · premonition · foreboding · niggling · troubling
- annoying behaviorspestering, bothering, irritating, aggravating, whining
- gripingcomplaining, grumbling, griping, grousing, kvetching
- interferenceinterfering, meddling, intruding, butting in, obstructing
- pet peevesannoyance, loud chewing, irritation, loud talking, frustration
- reproachesblaming, scolding, rebuking, reprimanding, censuring
- scoldingscold, scolding, rebuke, berate, reprimand
naggingoccasional
Happening at intervals
sporadic · one-time · infrequent · fleeting · intermittent
naggingsoothing
Reducing distress or discomfort
calming · reassuring · comforting · relaxing · pacifying
naggingencouraging
Giving confidence or hope
supportive · good-natured · patient · accepting · uncritical
- nagging feelingPersistent background unease
- nagging doubtPersistent, low-grade uncertainty
- nagging pain
- constant nagging
- nagging wifePersistently critical spouse