First Known Use: 1533
Dictionary
pester
verb pes·ter \ˈpes-tər\
: to annoy or bother (someone) in a repeated way
pes·teredpes·ter·ing \-t(ə-)riŋ\
Full Definition of PESTER
transitive verb
1
obsolete : overcrowd
2
: to harass with petty irritations : annoy
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Origin of PESTER
modification of Middle French empestrer to hobble, embarrass, from Vulgar Latin *impastoriare, from Latin in- + Late Latin pastoria tether — more at pastern
Synonym Discussion of PESTER
worry, annoy, harass, harry, plague, pester, tease mean to disturb or irritate by persistent acts. worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation <pursued a policy of worrying the enemy>. annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks <you're doing that just to annoy me>. harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power <harassed on all sides by creditors>. harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment <the strikers had been harried by thugs>. plague implies a painful and persistent affliction <plagued all her life by poverty>. pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks <constantly pestered with trivial complaints>. tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath <children teased the dog>.
PESTERING Defined for Kids
pester
verb pes·ter \ˈpe-stər\
pes·teredpes·ter·ing
Definition of PESTER for Kids
: to bother again and again
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