pester
UK: ˈpɛstə | US: ˈpɛstər
vt. to annoy or bother someone persistently
vt. to harass with repeated requests or interruptions
pester = pest<annoyance> + er<agent suffix>
- pest (from Latin pestis, meaning "plague" or "nuisance")
- er (agent suffix, often indicating someone who performs an action)
Etymology Origin:
The word "pester" originated in the late 16th century, derived from the noun "pest," which referred to a destructive or annoying force (like a plague). Over time, the suffix "-er" was added to form a verb meaning "to act like a pest"—i.e., to annoy persistently. The evolution reflects how language turns nouns into verbs to describe behavior metaphorically.
The children continued to pester their parents for ice cream.
Telemarketers often pester people with unwanted calls.
Stop pestering me while I’m working!
Fans would pester the celebrity for autographs.
The mosquitoes pestered us all night.