pesky

adjective

pes·​ky ˈpe-skē 

peskier; peskiest

: troublesome, vexatious

pesky issues

Synonyms

• abrasive
• aggravating
• annoying
• bothersome
• carking
• chafing
• disturbing
• exasperating
• frustrating
• galling
• irksome
• irritating
• maddening
• nettlesome
• nettling
• peeving
• pestiferous
• pestilent
• pestilential
• pesty
• plaguey
• plaguy
• rankling
• rebarbative
• riling
• vexatious
• vexing

Examples of pesky in a Sentence

I've been trying to get rid of this pesky cold for weeks.

the pesky problem of what to do with all the leftovers

Recent Examples on the Web

Attendees learned some pointers to help them in that particularly pesky endeavor, while Zoeller regaled them with tales of his whiskey voyages across the seven seas. —Brad Japhe, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

Getting Rid of Pet Hair or Lint Even the peskiest cleaning chores, such as removing pet hair from furniture, can be made easier with your trusty hairspray. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2024

The LifeStraw personal water filter protects against pesky bacteria, microsilt, sand, cloudiness and even microplastics that have infiltrated water around the world. —Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2024

Few things can put a damper on conversation than pesky little gnats that fly around. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 12 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably irregular from pest + -y entry 1

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pesky

adjective

pes·​ky ˈpes-kē 

peskier; peskiest

: troublesome sense 2

peskily

-kə-lē

adverb

peskiness

-kē-nəs

noun