pester

verb

pes·​ter ˈpe-stər How to pronounce pester (audio)
pestered; pestering ˈpe-st(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce pester (audio)

transitive verb

1
obsolete : overcrowd
2
: to harass with petty irritations : annoy
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
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.
Kansas City’s ability to pester the game’s best relievers became a defining trait of the 2024 team. Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2025 Nothing had gone right for the Mariners all night as the smaller, quicker Cardinals pestered them with speed, energy and a barrage of three-pointers. Devin Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025 After all, Gretzky once pestered the late Gordie Howie in a similar manner. Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 7 Mar. 2025 The Pistons’ defense continued to pester the Spurs, allowing one field goal through the final 5:59 in the third quarter. Hunter Patterson, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pester

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of pester was in 1548

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pester. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

pester

verb
pes·​ter ˈpes-tər How to pronounce pester (audio)
pestered; pestering -t(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce pester (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on pester

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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