niggling
adjective
[ ˈnɪɡlɪŋ ]
• causing slight but persistent annoyance, discomfort, or anxiety.
• "niggling aches and pains"
niggle
verb
• cause slight but persistent annoyance, discomfort, or anxiety.
• "Doreen wanted to discuss matters that niggled at her mind"
Similar:
irritate,
annoy,
worry,
trouble,
bother,
provoke,
exasperate,
upset,
gall,
irk,
rankle with,
rile,
hack off,
get,
get to,
bug,
get up someone's nose,
Origin:
early 17th century (in the sense ‘do in an ineffectual way’): apparently of Scandinavian origin; compare with Norwegian nigla . Current senses date from the late 18th century.
