pester

Bother without stopping

To pester is to annoy someone with repeated requests or interruptions: Stop pestering me about the car—I said no.

The word suggests persistence rather than intensity—a child pestering for candy, a salesperson pestering with calls.

Unlike harass, pester implies minor irritation rather than serious distress.

nagging

badger

Nag persistently

houndHunting dog breed
nagPester repeatedly
hassleIrritating difficulty

harass · bother · bug · needle · henpeck · plague · nudge · peck · goad · chivvy

annoyance

irritate

Cause mild anger

annoyCause mild irritation
vexTo irritate persistently
irkTo mildly vex

aggravate · exasperate · frustrate · grate · nettle · rankle · peeve · rile · provoke · bother

pleading

beg

Ask with desperation

pleadAsk urgently or formally
imploreUrge with desperation
beseechPlead urgently with someone

entreat · urge · press · appeal · petition · solicit · cajole · wheedle · coax · supplicate

persistence

relentless

Continuing without pause

insistentFirmly demanding attention
unrelentingRefusing to let up
doggedStubbornly persevering

persistent · tenacious · stubborn · obstinate · incessant · constant · continuous · unceasing · tireless · repeated

intrusion

meddle

Interfere without invitation

intrudeEnter uninvited
invadeEnter by force
encroachAdvance beyond proper limits

impose · pry · snoop · interfere · butt in · nose around · overstep · trespass · infringe · interject

Categories

houndhound, badger, harass, hassle, harry
agitateagitate, stir, rouse, disturb, rile up
naggingnag, badger, henpeck, go on, drone on
teasingtease, teasing, rib, ribbing, josh
GET TO meaningsarrive, reach, access, enter, come to
mockingmock, ridicule, tease, taunt, jeer

Opposites

interpersonal behavior

pesterplease

Polite appeal word

delight · comfort · soothe · leave alone · gratify

attention/engagement

pesterignore

Refuse to notice

leave alone · disregard · neglect · leave be · let be

persistent requesting vs. single/no requests

pesterlet it go

Cease fixating on something

desist · relent · back off

Phrases

lawn pestCreature damaging grass
pest controlManaging unwanted organisms
pest infestationHarmful organisms colonizing space
garden pestHarmful backyard creature
pantry pest
pest managementControlling harmful organisms

Family

pest, pestering, pesticide, pestered, pesticides, pestilence, pest control, pesters, pestilent

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G