badgering
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - The act of persistently harassing, pestering, or annoying someone: It refers to the action of bothering or troubling someone with repeated, insistent requests, questions, or criticisms.
Usage
The word "badgering" is used to describe a specific, ongoing action of harassment. It implies a persistent, nagging, or wearisome pressure. It is a formal term often used in legal, professional, or serious personal contexts to describe unacceptable behavior.
Examples
- The lawyer objected to the opposing counsel's badgering of the witness.
- She finally gave in to stop the constant badgering from her colleagues.
- His persistent badgering about the deadline made everyone anxious.
Advanced Usage
- Legal Context: In law, "badgering" specifically refers to the improper harassment of a witness during a trial or deposition, which can lead to an objection from the opposing attorney.
- The judge sustained the objection, stating the questioning constituted badgering.
Variants and Related Words
- Badger (verb): To pester or harass persistently.
- He would badger his parents for a new bicycle.
- Harassment (noun): Aggressive pressure or intimidation; a broader term that includes "badgering."
- Pestering (noun/adj): Annoying someone with frequent or persistent requests or interruptions; a close synonym, often less formal.
Synonyms
- Harassment
- Pestering
- Nagging
- Hounding
- Tormenting (in the context of persistent annoyance)
Antonyms
- Leaving alone
- Ignoring
- Accommodating
Noun
- the act of harassing someone