NAG Synonyms: 165 Similar and Opposite Words

nag 1 of 2

noun

Definition of nag

as in horse

a large hoofed domestic animal that is used for carrying or drawing loads and for riding a poor farmer who could only afford one old nag

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nag

2 of 2

verb

ˈnag

as in to urge

to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders she kept nagging him to fix the furnace before the weather got any colder

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to complain

to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely if all you can do is nag, then you are of no use to this organization at all

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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 nag

Noun

But in the final moments, when Carol is back in her coach seat on the plane, something nags at her. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025 Darius Dotch has been invariably impressive on area stages over the past several years, but he’s handicapped by Shider making Hines’ husband a one-note nag. — Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025

Verb

The stagnancy is nagging, as is the choice to supplant Kat as Season 2’s primary villain in favor of Frankie, a stopgap baddie played by Johnny Flynn. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026 Starting left guard Aaron Banks missed another game due to injury, this time a knee issue that has nagged him all summer. — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nag

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nag

Noun

Since then, multiple efforts to phase out or ban horse carriages have failed.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
Officials would also have to consider compensation for carriage owners and assistance with retiring horses, but no payouts are guaranteed.

— Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of horse

Verb

Gee, who used to pop into fraternity parties unannounced to keep tabs on them, said he is not bothered by the reintegration of the three formerly rogue organizations.

— Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
This is a dense picture—there’s almost too much to unpack, if you can be bothered to care about any of it.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of bother

Verb

This contract then frees me, within the pages of the notebook, to do anything—to write or draw, or paint, to whine and complain, to plot and scheme—to fail or succeed without fear.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
While the left spent all week whining about Sophie Cunningham's hat and firing squad best practices, us PATRIOTS were biding our time, keeping our heads down, and grinding towards another weekend.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of whine

Verb

Hope Florida Foundation got a new board and filed tax returns, but criticisms of its efficacy still dog its leaders.

— Christopher Spata, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Still, Marshall has been dogged by negative headlines over the last month, starting with a debate at the Kansas State Fair where the senator was shouted down by the crowd repeatedly.

— Stephen Fowler, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of dog

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nadirs

nag

nagged

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“Nag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nag. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of nag

noun

verb

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