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
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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
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