pesky
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for pesky, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Annoying or troublesome, especially in a persistent, low-level way.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
Antonyms
How to use pesky
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
pesky fly
pesky little
pesky problem
Informal and a bit old-fashioned/folksy in tone.
Etymology
Possibly an alteration of "pesty" (from "pest"), following a pattern similar to "nasty" shifting toward "nasky" in some dialects.
Full origin of pesky →Frequently asked questions
What does “pesky” mean?
The word “pesky” means annoying or troublesome, especially in a persistent, low-level way. In plain terms, mildly annoying, in a way that keeps coming back — often used about small animals, insects, or minor problems.
How do you pronounce “pesky”?
“Pesky” is pronounced PEHS-kee (/ˈpɛski/ in IPA).
How do you use “pesky” in a sentence?
Here is “pesky” used in a sentence: “A pesky fly kept buzzing around the picnic table.”
What part of speech is “pesky”?
“Pesky” is an adjective.
