Definition

Adjective: 1. Annoyingly persistent; causing repeated, minor irritation: Describes someone or something that bothers or troubles another person with continual, often petty, requests, attention, or actions.

Usage

The adjective "pestering" is used to characterize a person, their behavior, or sometimes a thing (like an insect or thought) that is persistently annoying. It implies a sense of being nagged or troubled repeatedly. * It typically modifies a noun directly (e.g., pestering child, pestering questions). * It can also be used after a linking verb like "be" or "become" (e.g., The flies were pestering).

Examples

• The pestering salesperson would not leave us alone.
• She was tired of her brother's pestering demands for a turn on the computer.
• We tried to enjoy the picnic despite the pestering gnats.
• He finally gave in to their pestering and agreed to buy ice cream.

Advanced Usage

• "To be pestering": Used to describe an ongoing state of being annoyingly persistent.
  • The thought of the unfinished work was pestering him all day.

Variants and Related Words

• Pester (verb): To trouble or annoy someone with frequent or persistent requests or interruptions.
  • The children would pester their mother for stories.
• Pesterer (noun): A person who pesters.
  • The telemarketer was a relentless pesterer.

Synonyms

• Annoying
• Bothersome
• Irritating
• Nettlesome
• Pesky
• Vexatious
• Nagging
• Troublesome

Related Idioms/Phrases

• None directly formed with the adjective "pestering." However, the verb "pester" is used in common constructions:
  • To pester someone for something: To repeatedly ask or demand something from someone.

    • He pestered his father for a new bike.
  • To pester someone to do something: To repeatedly urge or nag someone to perform an action.

    • She pestered me to help her with the project.

Adjective

1. causing irritation or annoyance
   • tapping an annoying rhythm on his glass with his fork
   • aircraft noise is particularly bothersome near the airport
   • found it galling to have to ask permission
   • an irritating delay
   • nettlesome paperwork
   • a pesky mosquito
   • swarms of pestering gnats
   • a plaguey newfangled safety catch
   • a teasing and persistent thought annoyed him
   • a vexatious child
   • it is vexing to have to admit you are wrong