If you have ever been stuck on a crossword puzzle and came across the clue “pester”, you might have felt a little confused about what word could fit. This type of crossword clue shows up often, especially in popular puzzles in newspapers and apps. People who play puzzles in the United States search for “pester crossword clue” online every day because they want quick help to finish their grids. In this guide, we will look at what the clue means, the most common answers, and tips for solving it easily so that you can get better and faster at crossword puzzles.
What Is a Pester Crossword Clue?
A pester crossword clue is simply a puzzle hint that uses the word pester to point you toward its synonyms. In everyday English, “pester” means to bother, annoy, or disturb someone again and again. Crossword puzzle makers often love to use short, sharp words like this because they can have many answers depending on the number of letters in the grid.
For example, when you see “pester” as a clue, the crossword is not asking for a full sentence. Instead, it is guiding you to find a word that matches the meaning of “pester.” The fun part of solving crosswords is that there can be many possible answers, but only one fits the exact number of boxes given in the puzzle.
So, if the clue says “pester (3 letters),” the answer might be nag. If it says “pester (4 letters),” the answer could be bug. That is why this clue is very common and very useful for puzzle makers.
Common Answers for “Pester” in Crosswords
When solving a crossword, you will notice that some answers repeat over time. The word “pester” usually connects to short, everyday English words that are easy to understand but tricky to guess if you are stuck. Many of these answers show up in major crossword puzzles like the New York Times, USA Today, and LA Times, which is why search terms like “pester synonym crossword clue” or “crossword answers for pester” get a lot of traffic online.
Some common answers include:
- Nag
- Bug
- Hassle
- Annoy
- Irk
- Bother
Each of these words is a synonym of “pester,” but the right answer depends on the puzzle size and letter count. The good news is that once you know the main pool of answers, you will solve this clue much faster in the future.
Most Popular Answers to Try First
When you see the word pester in a crossword, it helps to know which answers appear the most often. In fact, puzzle databases like Ahrefs crossword answer trackers and tools like SEMRush keyword explorers show that the most searched solutions for “pester crossword clue” are usually very short words. That is because crosswords love short filler words that fit smoothly into a grid.
Here are the top answers to try:
Try “Nag” First
One of the best answers to a pester crossword clue is nag. This three-letter word is a favorite in U.S. crosswords because it is short, simple, and matches perfectly with “pester.” To nag someone means to bother them repeatedly, usually by asking or reminding them about something again and again.
If your puzzle clue says “pester (3),” the answer is almost always nag. Even if you do not know the crossing words yet, trying nag first can save time because it fits in so many grids.
“Bug” Is Also a Good Guess
Another very common solution is bug. This word is both a noun and a verb. As a verb, “to bug someone” means to pester or annoy them. Many crossword makers enjoy this word because it is short, sharp, and familiar to everyone.
If your crossword has pester (3) again, and nag doesn’t fit with the other letters, then bug is your next best guess. It is also popular in U.S. puzzle culture because of its playful tone.
What About “Hassle”?
If the clue has more letters, like pester (6), then hassle is a perfect answer. The word “hassle” means to bother, annoy, or cause problems for someone. Crosswords often use it because it is a common everyday term in American English, and many players recognize it right away.
When solving, always check how many letters the puzzle gives you. If it says six letters, hassle is a strong choice.
Short Words That Fit Most Puzzles
Crossword makers often prefer short words because they are easier to place inside puzzle grids. That is why most answers to a pester crossword clue are three to five letters long. Some of the best short options include:
- Nag (3)
- Bug (3)
- Irk (3)
- Vex (3)
- Annoy (5)
- Bore (4)
Knowing these short words will help you finish crosswords faster. Short synonyms like irk and vex may sound a little old-fashioned, but they show up often in puzzle clues, so it is smart to remember them.
Clue Variations That Mean the Same as Pester
Sometimes, crossword clues are written in different ways but mean the same thing. A puzzle creator may not write just “pester.” Instead, they might use phrases like:
- Annoy continually
- Bother again and again
- Cause irritation
- Keep after someone
- Harass slightly
All of these clue variations point back to the same pool of answers like nag, bug, irk, vex, hassle, annoy, or bother. Once you know that crossword makers love to mix up the wording, you will be better prepared for future puzzles.
Watch for Tricky Words
Even though most answers for “pester” are short and simple, some clues can be tricky. Puzzle creators like to test players with old-fashioned or less common synonyms. For example, you might see vex or irk, which are not words you hear every day, but they fit perfectly in crossword puzzles.
Think About the Clue Length
The best way to solve a pester crossword clue is to always check the letter count. Crossword apps and print puzzles usually show you how many letters the answer needs. For example:
- Pester (3): nag, bug, or irk
- Pester (4): bore
- Pester (5): annoy
- Pester (6): hassle
If you start with the wrong guess, don’t worry. Cross-checking with other answers will help you confirm the right solution.
Tips to Solve “Pester” Clues Fast
- Look at crossing words first – These will give you letters that narrow down your options.
- Start with common short answers – Try nag or bug before testing longer options.
- Think of synonyms – Remember, crossword clues almost always mean “find a synonym.”
- Keep a mental list – Memorizing frequent answers like irk, vex, bore, hassle makes puzzles easier.
Easy Words That Match “Pester” Clues
Some of the easiest words to remember for “pester” clues are:
- Nag
- Bug
- Annoy
- Irk
- Vex
These are short, simple, and appear very often.
Practice With Sample Clues
The best way to improve is to practice. Let’s try a few examples:
- Pester (3) → Answer: Nag
- Pester again and again (3) → Answer: Bug
- Pester a lot (5) → Answer: Annoy
- Pester endlessly (6) → Answer: Hassle
- Old word for pester (3) → Answer: Irk
By practicing with these, you will build confidence and solve faster in real puzzles.
The Bottom Line
A pester crossword clue is one of the most common puzzle hints you will see in American crosswords. It simply means you need to find a synonym for the word “pester,” like nag, bug, annoy, hassle, irk, vex, or bother. The key is to check the number of letters in the puzzle and try the most popular answers first.
If you keep a small list of common solutions in your mind, solving will become easier and faster. Whether you are a beginner or a regular crossword player, learning these answers will save time and give you more confidence. Next time you see the clue “pester”, you will know exactly how to crack it!
