pester

USAGE SUMMARY

'pester' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a verb meaning to bother or annoy someone with repeated requests or interruptions. For example, "My little sister was always pestering me to play with her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By the next evening the dog is spry enough to climb two steps in order to pester me for food while I'm trying to watch TV.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And pester Pelé Toye did.

The Guardian - Sport

Some say they do not want to finance the police who pester them.A migrant's lot is often assumed to be an unhappy one.

The Economist

His firm operates through a network of locals who knock on doors and pester their acquaintances to buy lipstick and shampoo.

The Economist

It is painful to acknowledge, but marketers were right all along: pester power works.

The Economist

A phenomenon known in the business as "KGOY", or Kids Getting Older Younger, has put more money or at least more power to pester Mum and Dad in the pockets of tinies as young as three.

The Economist

Those who believe that doctors do not keep up with medical developments are also using the web to pester scientists directly.

The Economist

Reporters will pester him about whether he agrees with the decision, and which gun restrictions, exactly, he supports.Gun owners are disproportionately (though by no means entirely) white, southern and rural a group Mr Obama has trouble appealing to.

The Economist

By signing deals with the banks, they have been able to reach the small cadre of customers dogged enough to pester their banks for third-party funds.

The Economist

(Since the feeding website has no information about the subscriber, unsubscribing too is hassle-free; when a user removes the feed from his list, the website can no longer pester him).Google (and other aggregators of the day) made the process more efficient for publishers by reducing the number of requests for the RSS file.

The Economist

There are e-mails to answer, virtual friends to pester, YouTube videos to watch and, back in the physical world, meetings to attend, papers to shuffle and spouses to appease.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pester", consider the intensity of the annoyance you wish to convey. If you intend to portray a lighter, less aggressive form of annoyance, "pester" is appropriate. For more severe or persistent annoyance, consider alternatives like "harass" or "hound".

Common error

Avoid using "pester" in formal or professional writing where a more neutral term like "follow up with" or "inquire" would be more appropriate. "Pester" can sound too informal or negative.

Linguistic Context

Pester functions primarily as a verb, describing the action of repeatedly bothering or annoying someone. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is often used to depict persistent and unwanted attention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "pester" is a verb used to describe the act of repeatedly bothering or annoying someone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It's a common term, frequently found in News & Media sources, though generally considered informal and neutral. When choosing "pester", consider the intensity you wish to convey, and avoid it in highly formal contexts, opting for more neutral alternatives like "inquire" or "follow up with".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

annoy persistently

Explicitly describes the continuous nature of the annoyance, emphasizing the repetitive aspect of "pester".

irritate repeatedly

Highlights the act of causing irritation through repeated actions, akin to "pester".

harass

Implies a more aggressive and persistent form of annoyance than "pester".

nag

Focuses on repetitive complaints or requests, often with the intention of influencing someone's behavior.

badger

Suggests persistent nagging or urging, similar to "pester" but potentially more insistent.

tease relentlessly

Highlights the act of teasing in a continuous and bothersome manner.

hound

Indicates relentless pursuit and harassment, often with a specific goal in mind.

pressurize

Indicates applying continuous pressure to someone, often through repeated requests or demands.

beleaguer

Implies surrounding someone with difficulties or annoyances, often in a more significant way than "pester".

torment

Suggests a more severe form of harassment, causing significant distress or suffering.

FAQs

How can I use "pester" in a sentence?

You can use "pester" to describe someone who repeatedly bothers or annoys another person. For example, "The child would constantly "pester" his parents for a new toy".

What are some synonyms for "pester"?

Alternatives for "pester" include "annoy persistently", "harass", "badger", and "hound". The best choice depends on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "pester" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "pester" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more neutral alternatives like "inquire" or "follow up with".

What's the difference between "pester" and "harass"?

"Pester" implies a repeated annoyance, while "harass" suggests a more aggressive and potentially threatening behavior. "Harass" is a more serious term than "pester".