Meaning & use
badgering
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“badgering” is a form of “badger”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitivedisapproving
The -ing form of badger: pressing someone again and again with questions or demands until they give in.
Grammar: Takes an object, often followed by 'into' or 'about': badgering him into agreeing.
Patterns
- badgering someone into something
- badgering someone about something
The children kept badgering their father about getting a puppy.
The reporter was accused of badgering the witness.
She was tired of her boss badgering her into working late.
noununcountabledisapproving
The act of repeatedly pressuring or questioning someone, especially in an annoying or unfair way.
Grammar: Used for the behavior itself: the badgering of witnesses is not allowed.
Patterns
- the badgering of someone
The lawyer objected to the badgering of the witness.
After weeks of badgering, he finally agreed to go.
Constant badgering rarely changes anyone's mind.
adjectivebefore a noundisapproving
Persistently pestering or hounding.
Grammar: Describes a person or manner that nags: a badgering tone.
Patterns
- a badgering tone
His badgering tone made everyone uncomfortable.
The badgering salesman followed us around the shop.
She answered the badgering questions as calmly as she could.
Common combinations
- badgering the witness
- The judge warned the lawyer about badgering the witness.
- badgering someone into
- Stop badgering me into buying it.
- constant badgering
- Constant badgering wore down her patience.
- badgering questions
- Badgering questions made the interviewee anxious.
- badgering for answers
- The press kept badgering for answers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- pestering
- Pestering is a lighter word for nagging someone, while badgering suggests more force and the aim of making them give in.
- hounding
- Hounding implies chasing and harassing someone relentlessly, and it is stronger than badgering.
- nagging
- Nagging is repeated complaining or reminding, often at home, and badgering is more about pushing for a concession.
- harassing
- Harassing is more serious and can be unlawful, whereas badgering is annoying but not necessarily abusive.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: badgering or bothering?
badgering vs bothering
Bothering is a general word for annoying or disturbing someone, whereas badgering means pressing repeatedly to get a result.
Practice
The lawyer was told to stop ___ the witness with the same question again and again.
Choose one answer.
Badgering means pressuring someone repeatedly, which is what the judge objects to. Bartering and bargaining relate to trading, and bandaging is covering a wound.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “badgering”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.