Niggling
adjective
Continuing for a long time and slightly troubling, annoying, or causing discomfort.
He's been bothered by a niggling pain in his foot.
Often appears as...
- niggling doubt
- niggling pain
verb
To bother or annoy someone over a period of time with small, often unimportant things.
The thought of leaving her dog alone at home was niggling her.
Often appears as...
- niggling at
- niggling over
adjective
Continuing for a long time and slightly troubling, annoying, or causing discomfort.
He's been bothered by a niggling pain in his foot.
Often appears as...
- niggling doubt
- niggling pain
verb
To bother or annoy someone over a period of time with small, often unimportant things.
The thought of leaving her dog alone at home was niggling her.
Often appears as...
- niggling at
- niggling over
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Subtle Impact
Emphasizes a small problem's persistent nature, which can affect mood or performance over time.
The niggling error in the report eventually led to a bigger issue.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Serious
Usually not a serious problem but can be distracting or cause slight annoyance.
She had a niggling concern about the decorations not being perfect.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Tinge
Can imply an emotional disturbance like irritation or uneasiness beyond physical discomfort.
A niggling sense of unease kept him awake at night.
Pro Tip 1/3Subtle Impact
Emphasizes a small problem's persistent nature, which can affect mood or performance over time.
The niggling error in the report eventually led to a bigger issue.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Serious
Usually not a serious problem but can be distracting or cause slight annoyance.
She had a niggling concern about the decorations not being perfect.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Tinge
Can imply an emotional disturbance like irritation or uneasiness beyond physical discomfort.
A niggling sense of unease kept him awake at night.
Pro Tip 1/3Subtle Impact
Emphasizes a small problem's persistent nature, which can affect mood or performance over time.
The niggling error in the report eventually led to a bigger issue.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Serious
Usually not a serious problem but can be distracting or cause slight annoyance.
She had a niggling concern about the decorations not being perfect.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Tinge
Can imply an emotional disturbance like irritation or uneasiness beyond physical discomfort.
A niggling sense of unease kept him awake at night.
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Video examples
Amelia Earhart Part I:...
there was this niggling feeling that something was missing and the more i looked into the disappearance the more it nagged at me and then i realized it wasn't a missing plane it wasn't the missing 13 bones it was the person in all of these versions amelia herself
Video examples
Amelia Earhart Part I:...
there was this niggling feeling that something was missing and the more i looked into the disappearance the more it nagged at me and then i realized it wasn't a missing plane it wasn't the missing 13 bones it was the person in all of these versions amelia herself
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Frank Miller
American Artist
I'm a spoilt brat. I thought I was just going to walk in and make movies. But I'd been my own boss for so long that all of a sudden to be facing a roomful of people who were niggling over every little scene... I just thought I'd go back and draw my comics and have a happy life.
Quote examples
Joel Edgerton
Australian Actor
I love so much what I do that I spend so much time thinking about it, and then I go home, and then I'm thinking about it, so it's nice sometimes when a movie is over, and then the niggling feelings about whether you've did it right or not start to ebb away.
Quote examples
Derren Brown
English Entertainer
Guilt's too strong a word, but there is this niggling worry that I'm a grown-up doing a childish job and it would be nice to do something more useful and to reach a number of people with an idea you think is important.
Quote examples
Micah Richards
English Athlete
I've always said given a chance, with me being 100 per cent and none of the niggling injuries I always seem to pick up now and then, that I can compete with anyone in the league who is challenging in my position.
Quote examples
Chris Smalling
English Athlete
You're never going to be bulletproof, but if you're feeding yourself good food and making sure you're eating the right supplements, I think you reduce the chances of getting any niggling injuries.
Quote examples
Brian O'Driscoll
Irish Athlete
It's rare enough as an older generation player that you're 100% fit - there's always something niggling.
Quote examples
Noel Fielding
English Comedian
I always had a sort of niggling regret that we didn't come do stuff in America.
Quote examples
Frank Miller
American Artist
I'm a spoilt brat. I thought I was just going to walk in and make movies. But I'd been my own boss for so long that all of a sudden to be facing a roomful of people who were niggling over every little scene... I just thought I'd go back and draw my comics and have a happy life.
Quote examples
Joel Edgerton
Australian Actor
I love so much what I do that I spend so much time thinking about it, and then I go home, and then I'm thinking about it, so it's nice sometimes when a movie is over, and then the niggling feelings about whether you've did it right or not start to ebb away.
Quote examples
Derren Brown
English Entertainer
Guilt's too strong a word, but there is this niggling worry that I'm a grown-up doing a childish job and it would be nice to do something more useful and to reach a number of people with an idea you think is important.
Quote examples
Micah Richards
English Athlete
I've always said given a chance, with me being 100 per cent and none of the niggling injuries I always seem to pick up now and then, that I can compete with anyone in the league who is challenging in my position.
Quote examples
Chris Smalling
English Athlete
You're never going to be bulletproof, but if you're feeding yourself good food and making sure you're eating the right supplements, I think you reduce the chances of getting any niggling injuries.
Quote examples
Brian O'Driscoll
Irish Athlete
It's rare enough as an older generation player that you're 100% fit - there's always something niggling.
Quote examples
Noel Fielding
English Comedian
I always had a sort of niggling regret that we didn't come do stuff in America.
Example 1 of 7
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