badgering

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "badgering" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone is persistently harassing or pressuring another person for something. For example: "I can't take it anymore, I've been badgered by my boss to finish this report by the end of today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One BBC source said they expected Labour leader Ed Miliband would be badgering the corporation to come on to Radio 2 to read out listener text messages next week.

The Guardian

It is surprising that it has taken the ECB so long to think about cutting rates.European politicians have been badgering the independent bank to ease policy for a while.

The Economist

Mr Murakami is badgering local asset managers, who hold many of the remaining shares and have been sitting on the fence, to shake off their complacency and vote with their wallets.

The Economist

Indro Montanelli, one of Italy's most independent-minded commentators, accuses Mr Berlusconi of badgering the Italian people from "an electronic balcony"—a reference to Mussolini's famous habit of haranguing the crowds from the balcony of his palazzo in Rome.

The Economist

One thing he has been badgering the firm's founders to do is use their technology to create a universal, self-directed invention machine.

The Economist

Commerzbank is under fire from a group of German financial investors who have built a 17% stake in the bank and are badgering it to find a partner.In this section Letter of credit The last crisis?

The Economist

By badgering and buying ten PPP members, PML-Q formed a coalition government.

The Economist

Jamie Northrup, president of the university's students' union, has been badgering his fellow students to register to vote in Chester, supplying them with forms and returning their completed paperwork.

The Economist

First, it teaches companies that it pays to lobby, and ensures that they divert resources from running their business well into the unproductive but lucrative business of badgering politicians.

The Economist

He suggested the cuts could come out of the banks' profits instead.In this section Fill 'er up A more interesting decline ReprintsThe combination of monetary policy and badgering seems to be working.

The Economist

Congolese politicians like to point out that France's president, Nicolas Sarkozy, has been flitting from country to country, badgering officials to buy reactors from Areva, a French nuclear firm.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "badgering", consider the level of formality required. While appropriate for news and general contexts, it may be too informal for academic or highly professional writing. Choose synonyms like "pressuring" or "urging" for a more formal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "badgering" when the intent is to positively encourage someone, not to annoy or harass them. "Badgering" carries a negative connotation. Opt for terms like "encouraging" or "motivating" in positive contexts.

Linguistic Context

Badgering functions primarily as a verb, often in its gerund or present participle form. It describes the act of persistently harassing or annoying someone. Ludwig shows various examples where "badgering" depicts actions aimed at influencing or pressuring individuals or groups.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "badgering" describes the act of persistently harassing or annoying someone, often with the intent of influencing their behavior. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically sound and very commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, its negative connotation suggests careful consideration in professional settings. To prevent misuse, it's important to distinguish "badgering" from positive encouragement. Alternatives like "pressuring relentlessly" or "hounding continuously" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context. Ensure you're conveying the intended level of negativity or persistence when choosing this descriptor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harassing persistently

Emphasizes the continuous and bothersome nature of the harassment.

pestering relentlessly

Focuses on the nagging aspect with an added sense of determination.

hounding continuously

Implies a relentless pursuit, similar to hunting.

pressuring incessantly

Highlights the use of pressure tactics without ceasing.

importuning constantly

Suggests repeated and sometimes inappropriate requests.

nagging persistently

Stresses the irritating and repetitive nature of the act.

chivying continually

Indicates urging someone on through constant encouragement or annoyance.

badging incessantly

Focuses on the intrusive aspect of pushing or pressing someone.

tormenting persistently

Highlights the disturbing and painful element of bullying.

annoying consistently

Emphasizes the predictably irritating nature of the actions.

FAQs

How is "badgering" used in a sentence?

"Badgering" is often used to describe someone persistently annoying or harassing another person. For example, "The reporter was "badgering" the politician with questions about the scandal."

What are some synonyms for "badgering"?

Synonyms for "badgering" include "harassing", "pestering", "hounding", and "pressuring", each with slightly different connotations.

What is the difference between "badgering" and "bullying"?

"Badgering" implies persistent annoyance or harassment, while "bullying" involves a power dynamic and intent to harm. "Badgering" can be a component of "bullying", but not always.

When is it appropriate to use the word "badgering"?

Use "badgering" when you want to convey the idea of someone persistently annoying or harassing another person, often to get them to do something. Ensure the context aligns with the negative connotation of the word.