What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Niggling vs Nagging - What's the difference?

niggling | nagging |

As verbs the difference between niggling and nagging

is that niggling is present participle of lang=en while nagging is present participle of lang=en.

As adjectives the difference between niggling and nagging

is that niggling is petty while nagging is causing persistent mild pain, or annoyance.

As nouns the difference between niggling and nagging

is that niggling is a sensation that niggles while nagging is the action of the verb nag.

niggling

English

Verb

(head)

    • Adjective

    (head)
  • petty
  • * 1863 , Charles Darwin's letter to J. D. Hooker, 14th of July 1863
    • My dear Hooker, I am getting very much amused by my tendrils, it is just the sort of niggling work which suits me, and takes up no time and rather rests me whilst writing.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A sensation that niggles.
  • * 2009 , Jenny Parratt, Feelings of Change: Stories of Having a Baby (page 10)
    • Occasionally a paranoia or slight insecurity that is not based on reality will bring nigglings of that bad time.

    nagging

    English

    Verb

    (head)

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • The action of the verb nag .
  • * 1998 , Norah Lillian Lewis, Dear editor and friends (page 127)
    • After breakfast it takes a stout heart and strong nerve to tackle the burden of dishwashing, separator, milk things, disorderly house, interspersed with quarrels, naggings , and interruptions of the children

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Causing persistent mild pain, or annoyance.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2012-01
    • , author=Michael Riordan , title=Tackling Infinity , volume=100, issue=1, page=86 , magazine= citation , passage=Some of the most beautiful and thus appealing physical theories, including quantum electrodynamics and quantum gravity, have been dogged for decades by infinities that erupt when theorists try to prod their calculations into new domains. Getting rid of these nagging infinities has probably occupied far more effort than was spent in originating the theories.}}

    Anagrams

    *