as in horse
a large hoofed domestic animal that is used for carrying or drawing loads and for riding
a poor farmer who could only afford one old nag
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to urge
to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders
she kept nagging him to fix the furnace before the weather got any colder
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
if all you can do is nag, then you are of no use to this organization at all
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of nag
Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Darius Dotch has been invariably impressive on area stages over the past several years, but he’s handicapped by Shider making Hines’ husband a one-note nag.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 25 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
Noun
But in the final moments, when Carol is back in her coach seat on the plane, something nags at her.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Darius Dotch has been invariably impressive on area stages over the past several years, but he’s handicapped by Shider making Hines’ husband a one-note nag.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nag
Noun
-
Outside is the barn and stables—where dozens of horses trot in and out of the stables alongside their three goat friends (Dolly, with the pink collar, was my personal favorite).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
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So on market days, local Colored laborers would follow in the tradition of the formerly enslaved, riding donkeys, horses, or rowing boats to other parishes where food was in greater supply and available for sale.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 June 2026
Verb
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The pair also urged the clinic to disclose any discrepancies in parentage.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
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A smoke advisory was issued for a broad swath of East Los Angeles, with members of the public urged to limit outdoor exercise and those with health issues to remain indoors.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Trump has frequently complained that Obama’s deal included the transport of cash from the US to Iran.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
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Plus, who can complain when the gorgeous Block Island — which, unlike Rhode Island, is actually an island — is described as New England’s Caribbean?—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Setting the factory ablaze and escaping, Naim pauses for a minute when the Ryan-like monster appears at a window, begging to be released and claiming to be the human-being.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
19 June 2026
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The role required a physical and comedic register she had not previously been asked to sustain at this scale, which begs the question of whether playing someone this chaotic is sustainable for someone who describes herself, without hesitation, as directly opposite.—
Hannah Abraham,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
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The keeper could do nothing but flail and then turn and scream in frustration at his defense’s failings at the crucial moment.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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Elena called for Harold, who ran out in his boxers — both men screamed at each other and threatened to call the cops.—
Olivia Bensimon,
Curbed,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Oh, and more often than not, nobody bothers to check whether the change intervention actually worked, or whether leaders improve their performance after all!—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
The chest pain that had been bothering her finally let up.—
Tyler Quattrin,
Twin Cities,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Don’t whine about his Northern California roots or love of the local nine.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
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Stop whining and complaining, people.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Service dogs that bark excessively must be taken out of the facility.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
14 June 2026
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In a nearly 10-minute long video, Pratt repeated social media posts that dogs on Skid Row are used to test drugs, are bred for drug money and are left in poor conditions by their unhoused owners, among other concerns about overcrowded, dirty shelters across the city.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nag. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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