Synonyms of badger

badger 1 of 2

verb

as in to tease

to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders

He's always badgering me about the dishes.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tease
• hound
• devil
• harass
• pester
• nag
• plague
• annoy
• harry
• bait
• bother
• worry
• egg
• irritate
• goad
• heckle
• urge
• ballyrag
• insist
• prod
• bullyrag
• incite
• spur
• push
• prompt
• anger
• hassle
• insult
• rouse
• upset
• pressure
• provoke
• infuriate
• antagonize
• hagride
• exhort
• press
• enrage
• distress
• inflame
• enflame
• rankle
• discomfort
• madden
• bug
• agitate
• incense
• perturb
• offend
• roil
• unsettle
• exercise
• undo
• discompose
• outrage
• unhinge
• affront
• disquiet
• persecute
• rile
• aggravate
• freak (out)
• spite
• vex
• fret
• frost
• itch
• gripe
• gall
• ruffle
• eat
• irk
• hack (off)
• exasperate
• put out
• burn (up)
• grate
• nettle
• miff
• rasp
• chafe
• nark
• pique
• peeve
• get

badger

2 of 2

noun

as in rabbit

the pelt or fur of a badger

The boutique features a variety of scarfs, including badger, fox, and ermine.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rabbit
• fox
• raccoon
• marten
• otter
• beaver
• sheep
• alligator
• crocodile
• mink
• fisher
• racoon
• seal
• muskrat
• chamois
• chinchilla
• ermine
• sable
• bearskin
• sheepskin
• karakul
• Persian lamb
• pigskin
• sealskin
• fleece
• deerskin
• goatskin
• rawhide
• coonskin
• snakeskin
• calfskin
• doeskin
• lambskin
• sharkskin
• horsehide
• kidskin
• leather
• buckskin
• cowhide
• pelt
• morocco
• kolinsky
• mouton
• patent leather
• suede
• hide
• fur
• skin
• cordovan

Synonym Chooser

How is the word badger distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of badger are bait, chivy, heckle, hector, and hound. While all these words mean "to harass by efforts to break down," badger implies pestering so as to drive a person to confusion or frenzy.

badgered her father for a car

When could bait be used to replace badger?

The words bait and badger are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bait implies wanton cruelty or delight in persecuting a helpless victim.

baited the chained dog

When might chivy be a better fit than badger?

The words chivy and badger can be used in similar contexts, but chivy suggests persecution by teasing or nagging.

chivied the new student mercilessly

When is it sensible to use heckle instead of badger?

The synonyms heckle and badger are sometimes interchangeable, but heckle implies persistent annoying or belligerent interruptions of a speaker.

drunks heckled the stand-up comic

In what contexts can hector take the place of badger?

Although the words hector and badger have much in common, hector carries an implication of bullying and domineering.

football players hectored by their coach

When would hound be a good substitute for badger?

The meanings of hound and badger largely overlap; however, hound implies unrelenting pursuit and harassing.

hounded by creditors

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of badger

Verb

When Loomer posted a video of her badgering Florida governor Ron DeSantis, Trump’s campaign challenger, the former president shared it. —David Gilbert, WIRED, 18 Sep. 2024

When Tennessee’s lawyer attempted to explain that the state has similar rules in its regulation of medicines, Jackson badgered him to stop. —The Editors, National Review, 5 Dec. 2024

Noun

Coffee badgers are often turned in by co-workers who resent having to comply with office attendance directives while others evade them, Nickson said. —Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025

The behavior of honey badgers and honeyguide birds has the scientific community confused. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024