niggling
Annoyingly small, persistent
Niggling describes something small but persistently annoying or troubling.
A niggling doubt won't go away.
A niggling injury keeps bothering an athlete without being serious enough to stop play.
The word can also describe someone who fusses over trivial details: Stop niggling and just sign the contract.
Overly concerned with minutiae
- quibblingPetty objection-raising
- fussyExcessively particular
- picayuneOf trivial importance
- piddlingInsignificantly small
pettifogging · trivial · trifling · minor · small · insignificant · inconsequential · unimportant
Causing mild frustration
- bothersomeCausing mild annoyance
- vexingCausing mild torment
- naggingPersistent bothering or complaining
- irksomeCausing mild frustration
galling · aggravating · exasperating · maddening · nettlesome · pestering · provoking · frustrating
Persistent bothering or complaining
- lingeringRemaining beyond expected duration
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- unrelentingRefusing to let up
- constantFixed, unvarying quantity
continual · recurring · dogged · incessant · unabating · relentless · chronic · enduring
nitpicky
Overly concerned with minutiae
piddling · pettifogging · trivial · trifling · minor · small · insignificant · inconsequential · unimportant · hairsplitting
irritating
Causing mild frustration
- bothersomeCausing mild annoyance
- vexingCausing mild torment
- naggingPersistent bothering or complaining
irksome · galling · aggravating · exasperating · maddening · nettlesome · pestering · provoking · frustrating · troublesome
nagging
Persistent bothering or complaining
- lingeringRemaining beyond expected duration
- persistentContinuing despite difficulty
- unrelentingRefusing to let up
constant · continual · recurring · dogged · incessant · unabating · relentless · chronic · enduring · gnawing
- irritatingannoying, aggravating, bothersome, exasperating, frustrating
nigglingsignificant
Having notable importance
important · consequential · momentous · substantial · weighty
nigglingacute
Intensely severe or perceptive
intense · severe · sharp · overwhelming · excruciating