Vocabulary Spotlight
Badger
Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
Definition: To repeatedly ask or annoy someone in order to get them to do something.
“The child continued to badger his mother with questions about getting a new puppy.”
Pronunciation
[ˈbædʒər]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Pester
Nag
Bother
Hound
Antonyms
Soothe
Comfort
Encourage
Related Words
Pestering (verb)
Word Origin
“Badger” as a verb likely comes from the persistent nature of badger animals. The term evolved to describe the behavior of pestering someone persistently, much like how a badger persistently digs and burrows.
Word Family
Noun: Badger – An animal known for its burrowing and persistent digging.
Verb: Badger – To harass or pester someone repeatedly.
Mnemonics
Think of someone persistently “digging” into a topic, just like a badger digs into the ground.
Alternatively: Remember “badgering” as being like a “nagging badger,” endlessly prodding.
Industry-specific Usage
Law
In legal contexts, a lawyer may badger a witness by repeatedly asking questions, potentially irritating them into revealing new information.
Sales
In sales, persistent follow-ups can border on badgering if the approach becomes too repetitive and unwanted by the client.
Parenting
Children often badger their parents for things they want, repeatedly asking until they receive a definitive answer.
In Context
Badgering is commonly seen as a repetitive or nagging action, often used to get someone to respond or take action. While it can be effective, it can also lead to frustration or annoyance.
In social interactions, badgering may damage relationships if overused, leading to resentment or strained communications.
In a professional setting, persistent questioning or follow-ups may cross into badgering, depending on the tone and frequency of the inquiries.