pester

verb

pes·​ter ˈpe-stər 

pestered; pestering ˈpe-st(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

obsolete : overcrowd

2

: to harass with petty irritations : annoy

Synonyms

• bother
• bug
• chivy
• chivvy
• disturb
• intrude (upon)

Choose the Right Synonym for pester

worry, annoy, harass, harry, plague, pester, tease mean to disturb or irritate by persistent acts.

worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation.

pursued a policy of worrying the enemy

annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks.

you're doing that just to annoy me

harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power.

harassed on all sides by creditors

harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment.

the strikers had been harried by thugs

plague implies a painful and persistent affliction.

plagued all her life by poverty

pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks.

constantly pestered with trivial complaints

tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath.

children teased the dog

Examples of pester in a Sentence

Leave me alone! Stop pestering me!

one resident pestered the condo board about every little thing

Recent Examples on the Web

Drones have begun playing a larger role in military conflicts, while also pestering American bases in the United Kingdom and the U.S. Police now often take special precautions to counter drones at major events. —Sophia Pargas, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024

But the Texans’ defense started to pester Goff after another field goal from Fairbairn made it 13-7. —Scott Thompson, Fox News, 11 Nov. 2024

For all of his success at the sport’s highest level, Pittsburgh has somehow been Jackson’s kryptonite, pestering him into some of the worst performances of an otherwise Hall of Fame-worthy resume. —Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 14 Nov. 2024

Cobb’s tours were really born out of people pestering him with questions. —Ani Gasparyan, USA TODAY, 18 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

modification of Middle French empestrer to hobble, embarrass, from Vulgar Latin *impastoriare, from Latin in- + Late Latin pastoria tether — more at pastern

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pester

verb

pes·​ter ˈpes-tər 

pestered; pestering -t(ə-)riŋ 

: annoy, bother