pesky

This term describes a specific kind of annoyance that is persistent and nagging rather than deeply offensive or harmful. It often carries a slightly playful or colloquial tone, suggesting that while the subject is irritating, it is not a serious threat. It is frequently used to describe small animals, insects, or minor technical glitches.

Compared to "annoying" or "irritating," "pesky" emphasizes the repetitive nature of the nuisance. It is most common in informal spoken English and is rarely used in formal academic or legal writing, where terms like "troublesome" or "problematic" would be preferred.