nagged; nagging
Synonyms of nagnext

transitive verb

1
: to irritate by constant scolding or urging
2

intransitive verb

1
: to find fault incessantly : complain
2
: to be a persistent source of annoyance or distraction
nagger noun

Examples of nag in a Sentence

Mom's always nagging me about my hair. All you ever do is nag. My parents are always nagging me to clean my room. He kept nagging her until she agreed to see the movie. Quit nagging! I already said I'm not going.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That process, too, has nagged at her confidence and her resolve. Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 26 May 2026 The Minnesota Wild players are not playing hockey right now and still have a what-if nagging at them about injuries. Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 25 May 2026 My occupations have given me a happy, humble, quiet life, but always nagging in the back of my mind has been a case of impostor syndrome. Literary Hub, 18 May 2026 That’s likely welcome news to educators around the country battling a growing attention crisis in classrooms some attribute to constantly nagging smart electronic devices. Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nag

Word History

Etymology

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse nagga to moan, complain

First Known Use

circa 1828, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nag was circa 1828

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nag. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

nag

1 of 3 noun
: horse entry 1 sense 1a
especially : a horse that is old and in poor condition

nag

2 of 3 verb
nagged; nagging
1
: to annoy by repeated faultfinding, scolding, or urging
kept nagging me to let her come
always nags him to clean his room
2
: to cause (someone) to feel annoyed or worried for a long period of time
a problem that nagged at her
nagger noun

nag

3 of 3 noun
: a person who frequently nags
Etymology

Middle English nagge "horse"

probably of Scandinavian origin

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