What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pester
Example
The children kept pestering their mother for candy. [pestering: gerund or present participle]
Example
He was constantly pestering her with questions, even though she was clearly busy. [pestering: verb]
annoy
Example
The loud music from the party next door was starting to annoy me. [annoy: verb]
Example
She found his constant interruptions during the meeting very annoying. [annoying: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Annoy is more commonly used than pester in everyday language, and it covers a wider range of contexts. Pester is less common and is often used in informal or personal situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pester and annoy?
Annoy is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while pester is typically associated with a more informal and casual tone.
