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pester

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

Definition of pester

transitive verb

1 obsolete : overcrowd
2 : to harass with petty irritations : annoy
Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about pester

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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

 Would that explain why I haven’t been pestered by turkeys for some time or been awakened by their early morning calls in the valley? — Joan Morris, The Mercury News, "Are bobcats moving into Lafayette?," 31 July 2019 Antero, Gulfport and EQT have been pestered by activist investors. — Stephanie Yang, WSJ, "Drillers Are Easing Off the Gas," 27 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pester.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of pester

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for pester

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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More Definitions for pester

pester

verb
How to pronounce pester (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of pester

: to annoy or bother (someone) in a repeated way

See the full definition for pester in the English Language Learners Dictionary

pester

verb
pes·​ter | \ ˈpe-stər How to pronounce pester (audio) \
pestered; pestering

Kids Definition of pester

: to bother again and again

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More from Merriam-Webster on pester

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with pester

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pester

Spanish Central: Translation of pester

Nglish: Translation of pester for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of pester for Arabic Speakers

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