badger

5 synonyms for badger, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A burrowing, mostly nocturnal mammal known for its black-and-white striped face and stocky build.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

bug tease

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

pester beleaguer Wisconsinite

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A burrowing, mostly nocturnal mammal known for its black-and-white striped face and stocky build.

“A badger dug a burrow at the edge of the woods.”

bug tease pester beleaguer Wisconsinite

2. verb

To repeatedly pester or nag someone until they give in or respond.

“The kids kept badgering their parents for a dog.”

pester bug tease beleaguer

How to use badger

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

badger someone into badger for an answer

Etymology

The verb comes from the noun (via a Middle English word meaning "marked by a badge," referring to the animal's badge-like facial marking), later extended to describe the persistent, nagging behavior once associated with badger-baiting.

Full origin of badger →

Frequently asked questions

What does “badger” mean?

The word “badger” means a burrowing, mostly nocturnal mammal known for its black-and-white striped face and stocky build. In plain terms, either the striped burrowing animal, or (as a verb) to nag someone relentlessly until they cave.

How do you pronounce “badger”?

“Badger” is pronounced BAD-zhuh (/ˈbæd͡ʒɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “badger” in a sentence?

Here is “badger” used in a sentence: “A badger dug a burrow at the edge of the woods.”

What part of speech is “badger”?

Depending on how it is used, “badger” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “badger” come from?

The word “badger” comes from Middle English.

Is “badger” a common word?

“Badger” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “badger” have?

“Badger” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a burrowing, mostly nocturnal mammal known for its black-and-white striped face and stocky build.

Related words

cete meline set sett

People also searched

bug tease beleaguer pester wisconsinite

Nearby words

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