pestered

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'pestered' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to continuously bother or annoy someone, often with persistent requests or demands. Example: She was constantly pestered by her younger siblings to play with them.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Catholic clergy were always welcome at Old Trafford and Matt laughed at the way Denis Law once pestered him for an introduction to a priest, a guest of Paddy Crerand.

The Guardian - Sport

But as an outsider perhaps the most unlikely thing about her year is that, before she started being repeatedly pestered by royals, as she packed her bags and prepared to leave Sochi she had considered her Paralympics a failure.

The Guardian - Sport

"You have to take me as I am").He disliked the way Brazil was run too, under a cohort of generals after a coup in 1964; he pestered for free elections by leading a Corinthians team with "Democracia" printed on their shirts, and by marching off in 1984-85, when Congress failed to pass the necessary laws, to play for Fiorentina in Italy.

The Economist

In a country as cricket loving and divided as Sri Lanka, this confers on Mr Muralitharan a special burden.Throughout his 16-year international career, Mr Muralitharan has been often pestered for his private thoughts on the war and the condition of Tamils.

The Economist

YOUR columnist owes an apology to Michael Gove, who he has twice pestered and impugned.

The Economist

The price tag is likely to be $630m this year alone, a sum that has caused a minor revolt among urban residents, who have pestered local-government departments and posted photographs of absurdly planted trees on microblogs.

The Economist

Also on the trip is Fleur Pellerin, his digital-economy minister, a dynamic advocate for French start-ups who has pestered Mr Hollande to pay more attention to entrepreneurs and promote what she calls "La French Tech".

The Economist

Mr Angel is more sceptical, saying that it is a good bet that trading on the exchange does little to provide insights into the worth of companies, often thought of as one of the major virtues produced by any exchange.An advantage for some who trade on the Cincinnati exchange is that they probably do not get pestered much by regulators.

The Economist

When she brushed his compliments aside, he found a newspaper advertisement for singing lessons and pestered her to give it a try.

The Economist

That meant he was despised as a "tinkie" at school and sometimes cut dead in the fish-hoose, though the girls also pestered him to tell their fortunes (he made them up) and to "read rubbish tae them aboot their tea cups".

The Economist

But one foreign-policy headache has pestered Mr Hollande ever since he was elected: a contract worth €1.2 billion ($1.36 billion) to sell two Mistral-class warships (pictured) to Russia.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a situation where someone is continuously bothered, consider the degree of intensity. "Pestered" suggests a repetitive and irritating level of annoyance.

Common error

Avoid using "pestered" when describing situations that involve serious or threatening behavior. Words like "harassed" or "stalked" are more appropriate for conveying severe and potentially illegal actions. Using "pestered" in such contexts can trivialize the situation.

Linguistic Context

The word "pestered" functions primarily as a verb, specifically the past tense and past participle of 'pester.' It describes an action of repeatedly bothering or annoying someone. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing numerous examples in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "pestered" is a commonly used verb that describes the act of repeatedly bothering or annoying someone. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While it maintains a neutral tone, understanding its subtle differences from synonyms like "harassed" or "annoyed" is crucial for precise communication. Remember to use "pestered" when conveying persistent, irritating behavior, and avoid it in situations involving severe or threatening actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harassed

Implies a more aggressive and persistent form of bothering, often involving intimidation.

hounded

Suggests relentless pursuit and harassment.

badgered

Implies persistent questioning or urging, often to the point of being bothersome.

nagged

Implies persistent and annoying requests or complaints.

annoyed

Suggests a mild form of irritation caused by someone's actions.

importuned

Suggests persistent and sometimes inappropriate requests or demands.

bothered

A general term for causing someone trouble or inconvenience.

irritated

Describes a state of being annoyed or provoked.

teased

Suggests playful, but sometimes annoying, provocation.

provoked

Implies incitement to anger or action.

FAQs

How to use "pestered" in a sentence?

You can use "pestered" to describe someone being constantly bothered or annoyed. For example, "She was constantly pestered by her younger brother to play video games."

What can I say instead of "pestered"?

You can use alternatives like "harassed", "badgered", or "annoyed" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "pestered" and "harassed"?

"Pestered" implies a repeated and irritating bothering, while "harassed" suggests a more aggressive and potentially threatening form of unwanted attention.

Is "pestered" a formal or informal word?

"Pestered" is generally considered a neutral word that can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in informal settings.