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

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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

Example 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 Of those whom Ruth had license to pester, her father had seen the most of the world. —

Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025 In footage from the 2024 game, Plum can be seen aggressively defending Clark, pestering her in a full-court press not usually seen in exhibition games. —

Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 22 July 2025 Spam calls and robocalls: Telemarketers and scammers buy your phone number and pester you with unwanted calls about everything from fake warranties to phony charity requests. —

Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2025 Chasing a Keyhole Amid this retrenchment, Russia is targeting what's left of its capacity for innovation in space toward pestering the US military. —

Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for pester

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pester

bother

Verb

The women were too busy cooking, crafting, and caring for the family to bother with the stone tools used by men in hunting and building.

— Sarah Durn, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Why ban books, Postman asked, if no one bothers to read them?

— Time, Time, 10 Sep. 2025

Definition of bother

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pest

pester

pestered

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“Pester.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pester. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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Last Updated: 12 Sep 2025 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of pester

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Synonyms of pester

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