Nag — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈnag/

Meaning & Definition of Nag

Nag (verb)

  1. to irritate by constant scolding or urging
  2. badger, worry
  3. to find fault incessantly, complain

Nag (noun)

  1. one who nags habitually
  2. horse; especially, one that is old or in poor condition

Nag (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: equine, horse, steed
    related: equid, colt, filly, foal, gelding, mare, stallion, bronco, mustang, pony, charger, courser, cow pony, cutting horse, galloper, hack, hackney, mount, packhorse, prancer, quarter horse, racehorse, saddle horse, trotter, warhorse, workhorse, bay, black, buckskin, chestnut, dun, palomino, pinto, roan, skewbald, sorrel, cob, dobbin, jade, plug, skate

Nag (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to subject (someone) to constant scoldings and sharp reminders

    "she kept nagging him to fix the furnace before the weather got any colder"

    similar: dog, henpeck, hound, needle, peck (at), pick at
    related: carp (at), fuss (about or over), nitpick, annoy, badger, bait, bother, bug, chivy, harass, harry, hassle, irk, pester, plague, ride, vex, yap (at), egg, goad, incite, prod, prompt, spur, urge, exhort, insist, press, pressure, push, blandish, cajole, coax, wheedle, beg, importune, plead
    near: compliment, commend, laud, praise, recommend, tout, acclaim, applaud, build up, eulogize, extol

  2. 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"

    similar: beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, inveigh, keen, kick, kvetch, maunder (chiefly British), moan, murmur, mutter, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, whinge (British), yammer, yawp, yowl, kick up a fuss
    related: object (to), protest, quarrel (with), cavil, quibble, fret, stew, worry, blubber, cry, sob, bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament
    opposite: crow, delight, rejoice
    near: accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate, applaud, cheer, commend

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Nag

The most common words with a similar meaning to Nag:

Chiefly British: maunder
British: whinge
equine, horse, steed, dog, henpeck, hound, needle, peck (at), beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, inveigh, keen, kick, kvetch, moan, murmur, mutter, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Nag

Words with the opposite meaning of Nag:

crow, delight, rejoice

Related Words for Nag

equid, colt, filly, foal, gelding, mare, stallion, bronco, mustang, pony, charger, courser, cow pony, cutting horse, galloper, hack, hackney, mount, packhorse, prancer, quarter horse, racehorse, saddle horse, trotter, warhorse, workhorse, bay, black, buckskin, chestnut

Near Antonyms of Nag

compliment, commend, laud, praise, recommend, tout, acclaim, applaud, build up, eulogize, extol, accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate, cheer

Word Forms of Nag

Inflections: nagged, nagging

Derived words: nagger (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Nag

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse nagga to moan, complain

First known use: circa 1828i

Frequently Asked Questions about Nag

What does "Nag" mean?

"Nag" means to irritate by constant scolding or urging. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to irritate by constant scolding or urging. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Nag"?

Other words for "Nag" include equine, horse, steed, dog, henpeck, hound, needle and peck (at). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Nag" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Nag"?

There are 140 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Nag". Common alternatives include equine, horse, steed, dog, henpeck, hound, needle, peck (at), beef and bellyache.

What is the opposite of "Nag"?

Antonyms of "Nag" include crow, delight and rejoice. Near antonyms include compliment, commend, laud and praise.

How do you use "Nag" in a sentence?

Examples of "Nag" in a sentence: "a poor farmer who could only afford one old nag"; "she kept nagging him to fix the furnace before the weather got any colder"; "if all you can do is nag, then you are of no use to this organization at all".

Is "Nag" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Nag" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Nag"?

"Nag" is pronounced /ˈnag/.

What is the origin of the word "Nag"?

"Nag" comes from probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse nagga to moan, complain. First known use: circa 1828i.