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nag

9 synonyms and 0 antonyms for nag, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To repeatedly pester or criticize someone about something, in an annoying way.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

Rare, literary or technical

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

scold nagger scolder hen-peck common scold

How to use nag

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

nag someone about a nagging doubt stop nagging

Etymology

From Middle English nagge, meaning a small horse or pony, possibly related to "neigh."

Full origin of nag →

Frequently asked questions

What does “nag” mean?

The word “nag” means to repeatedly pester or criticize someone about something, in an annoying way. In plain terms, to keep bothering someone with repeated reminders or complaints — or, as a noun, an old horse.

How do you pronounce “nag”?

“Nag” is pronounced NAG (/ˈnæɡ/ in IPA).

How do you use “nag” in a sentence?

Here is “nag” used in a sentence: “She kept nagging him to clean his room.”

What part of speech is “nag”?

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

Where does the word “nag” come from?

The word “nag” comes from Middle English. From Middle English nagge, meaning a small horse or pony, possibly related to "neigh.".

Is “nag” a common word?

“Nag” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “nag” have?

“Nag” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to repeatedly pester or criticize someone about something, in an annoying way.

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.