nettle

²nettle

verb

net·tlednet·tling\ˈnet-liŋ, ˈne-t^əl-iŋ\

Definition of NETTLE

transitive verb

1

: to strike or sting with or as if with nettles

2

: to arouse to sharp but transitory annoyance or anger

Examples of NETTLE

1. The mayor's recent actions have nettled some members of the community.
2. It nettles him that his younger coworker got a promotion before he did.

First Known Use of NETTLE

15th century

Related to NETTLE

Synonyms: aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, eat, exasperate, frost, gall, get, grate, gripe, hack (off), irk, itch, nark [British], irritate, peeve, persecute, pique, put out, rasp, rile, ruffle, spite, vex

Related Words: hassle, heckle; nag; inflame (also enflame), provoke, rouse; badger, bait, bullyrag (also ballyrag), devil, hagride, harass, harry, pester, plague, tease; anger, antagonize, enrage, incense, infuriate, madden, rankle, roil; agitate, discomfort, discompose, disquiet, distress, exercise, freak (out), fret, perturb, undo, unhinge, unsettle, upset, worry; affront, insult, miff, offend, outrage

Near Antonyms: appease, conciliate, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, propitiate; delight, gladden, gratify, please, satisfy; assure, cheer, comfort, console, content, quiet, reassure, solace, soothe

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See Synonym Discussion at irritate

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

Rhymes with NETTLE

fettle, metal, settle