pestering

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'pestering' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express repeated attempts to persuade or bother someone in a persistent and annoying way. For example, "I was tired of my colleague's pestering, so I finally gave in and agreed to go to lunch with her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After a few months of her pestering him by text, I told him to tell her to back off.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They're the ones to blame, for terrifying the vulnerable and pestering a billion people a year, including me, with their pesky calls about PPI or home improvements or double glazing or all those accidents I didn't have.

The Guardian - Money

And I kept on pestering the man".

The Guardian - Sport

He was directing at least part of that quote to reporters pestering him about same-sex marriage.

The Economist

Their crime is that, unlike seven colleagues arrested at the same time but freed soon afterwards, these recalcitrants refused to pledge that they will stop pestering the country's rulers to reform.There are other countries where simply asking politely for more rights—in this case, by signing several petitions can land you in prison.

The Economist

But as the political pressure rises, the financial calculus changes.There are other forces at work besides pestering from greens and governments.

The Economist

They could be right: one candidate reports that a lady who liked his picture has been pestering him to take her on as a second wife.Whatever the case, change is certainly in the air in Riyadh, a city of walls and veils.

The Economist

As well as robbing, they often rape".We get along fine with the Congolese," said one, while pestering your correspondent for a cigarette.

The Economist

("Circle less and live more").Mr Newsom's emphasis on citizens fixing their own problems rather than pestering the government is admirable.

The Economist

And Ms Mercado was endlessly patient with a reporter tagging along on a busy evening, pestering her with questions in rusty Spanish.

The Economist

Many individual Americans are dosing themselves with antibiotics and pestering their doctors for vaccines.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider whether a stronger term like "harassing" or "stalking" might be more appropriate if the behavior involves threats or creates a sense of fear.

Common error

In formal writing, avoid using "pestering" when a more professional term like "requesting repeatedly" or "following up" would be more suitable. Pestering has a slightly negative connotation and may not be appropriate for business communications.

Linguistic Context

The word "pestering" primarily functions as a verb, specifically in its present participle form. As Ludwig AI indicates, it signifies the act of persistently annoying or bothering someone. Examples show it describing actions like reporters "pestering" officials or someone "pestering" another with requests.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pestering" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb form that describes the act of persistently annoying or bothering someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a common way to express irritation at unwanted and repetitive actions. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to consider the context and audience to ensure its appropriateness. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "repeatedly requesting" or "following up". "Pestering" appears most often in news and media, encyclopedias and science contexts, highlighting its widespread applicability in describing persistent annoyance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

badgering

Suggests persistent questioning or urging, often in an irritating way.

nagging

Repeatedly asking or reminding someone about something.

harassing

Implies a more aggressive and potentially unlawful form of annoyance.

hounding

Implies relentless pursuit or harassment.

bothering

Similar to annoying, but can also imply a disruption of peace or quiet.

importuning

Suggests persistent and sometimes inappropriate requests.

annoying

A general term for causing irritation or displeasure.

irritating

Causing annoyance or frustration.

teasing

Implies playful, but potentially irritating, behavior.

vexing

Causing worry or distress.

FAQs

What does "pestering" mean?

"Pestering" means to annoy or bother someone persistently with frequent or irritating requests or actions.

How can I use "pestering" in a sentence?

You can use "pestering" in a sentence like this: "I got tired of him "pestering" me to go out with him."

What are some synonyms for "pestering"?

Some synonyms for "pestering" include "harassing", "badgering", and "annoying".

When is it appropriate to use "pestering" instead of "harassment"?

"Pestering" implies a milder form of annoyance than "harassment". Use "pestering" when the behavior is irritating but not threatening or abusive. Harassment involves more severe and potentially illegal actions.