PESTER Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'pester' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pester are annoy , harass , harry , plague , tease , and worry . While all these words mean "to disturb or irritate by persistent acts," pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks. // constantly pestered with trivial complaints

Q: When could 'annoy' be used to replace 'pester'?

The words annoy and pester can be used in similar contexts, but annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks. // you're doing that just to annoy me

Q: When can 'harass' be used instead of 'pester'?

In some situations, the words harass and pester are roughly equivalent. However, harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power. // harassed on all sides by creditors

Q: When would 'harry' be a good substitute for 'pester'?

Although the words harry and pester have much in common, harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment. // the strikers had been harried by thugs

Q: In what contexts can 'plague' take the place of 'pester'?

The words plague and pester are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, plague implies a painful and persistent affliction. // plagued all her life by poverty

Q: When might 'tease' be a better fit than 'pester'?

While in some cases nearly identical to pester , tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath. // children teased the dog

Q: When is 'worry' a more appropriate choice than 'pester'?

The meanings of worry and pester largely overlap; however, worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation. // pursued a policy of worrying the enemy

pester

verb

ˈpe-stər

Definition of pester next

as in to bother

to thrust oneself upon (another) without invitation one resident pestered the condo board about every little thing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb pester contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pester are annoy, harass, harry, plague, tease, and worry. While all these words mean "to disturb or irritate by persistent acts," pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks.

constantly pestered with trivial complaints

When could annoy be used to replace pester?

The words annoy and pester can be used in similar contexts, but annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks.

you're doing that just to annoy me

When can harass be used instead of pester?

In some situations, the words harass and pester are roughly equivalent. However, harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power.

harassed on all sides by creditors

When would harry be a good substitute for pester?

Although the words harry and pester have much in common, harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment.

the strikers had been harried by thugs

In what contexts can plague take the place of pester?

The words plague and pester are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, plague implies a painful and persistent affliction.

plagued all her life by poverty

When might tease be a better fit than pester?

While in some cases nearly identical to pester, tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath.

children teased the dog

When is worry a more appropriate choice than pester?

The meanings of worry and pester largely overlap; however, worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation.

pursued a policy of worrying the enemy

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of pester Cobb’s tours were really born out of people pestering him with questions. —

Ani Gasparyan, USA TODAY, 18 July 2024 Aquarius January 20 – February 18 Someone may be pestering you for an immediate answer on a current matter that’s important to them. —

Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 14 Nov. 2024 His dead father, who keeps popping up in spirit to pester him, wants Juicy to kill his uncle to avenge his death. —

Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 25 Oct. 2024 The thought of the building imploding hadn’t pestered him or crossed his mind much. —

Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pester