Meaning & use
niggle
Last updated
To cause someone slight but persistent annoyance, worry, or discomfort.
See it in a sentence
A small doubt kept niggling at her even after she signed the contract.
His knee had been niggling him for weeks before he finally saw a doctor.
A note on using this word
Often used as a noun too, as in "a niggle," meaning a minor complaint or ache rather than a serious problem.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. noun
A minor complaint, worry, or physical discomfort.
The player was troubled by a niggle in his hamstring before the match.
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