nettle

1 of 2

noun

net·​tle ˈne-tᵊl How to pronounce nettle (audio)
1
: any of a genus (Urtica of the family Urticaceae, the nettle family) of chiefly coarse herbs armed with stinging hairs
… legs, which smarted from the stings of nettlesJames Stephens
2
: any of various prickly or stinging plants other than the true nettles (genus Urtica)

Illustration of nettle

Illustration of nettle
  • nettle 1

nettle

2 of 2

verb

nettled; nettling ˈnet-liŋ How to pronounce nettle (audio)
ˈne-tᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

1
: to strike or sting with or as if with nettles
2
: to arouse to sharp but transitory annoyance or anger

Did you know?

If you've ever brushed against nettles, you know those weeds have sharp bristles that can leave you smarting and itching. The painful and irritating rash that nettles cause can last for days, but at least it is a rash with a linguistic silver lining. The discomfort caused by nettles can serve to remind one that the verb nettle is a synonym of irritate. Nettle originated as a plant name that we can trace to the Old English word netel. Eventually, people likened the nagging itch caused by the plant to the nagging aggravation of being annoyed, and nettle became a synonym of vex, peeve, and of course irritate.

Choose the Right Synonym for nettle

irritate, exasperate, nettle, provoke, rile, peeve mean to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance.

irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage.

constant nagging that irritated me greatly

exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience.

his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions

nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging.

your pompous attitude nettled several people

provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action.

remarks made solely to provoke her

rile implies inducing an angry or resentful agitation.

the new work schedules riled the employees

peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation.

a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie

Examples of nettle in a Sentence

Verb The mayor's recent actions have nettled some members of the community. It nettles him that his younger coworker got a promotion before he did.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
These soft chews contain a blend of natural ingredients, including nettle leaf, perilla leaf, and quercetin, which work together to support a healthy immune system and ease allergy symptoms. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2023 In the fall, in preparation for winter, key medicines for immunity and resilience are rosehips, burdock, nettle, and elderberry. Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 23 Jan. 2024 Vegetable rennet or plant rennet: Typically, this will be referring to the variety that’s derived from plants like thistle and nettle. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 8 Oct. 2023 Made with natural ingredients like nettle leaf, Vitamin E, and quercetin, this supplement can help support a healthy immune system and promote skin health. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 29 July 2023 When the nettles are cool, drain them, making sure to remove the excess water. Leslie Kelly, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2023 Look for teas that include ingredients like nettle leaf, peppermint, and licorice root, as these are known to aid in flushing out toxins. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 13 Aug. 2023 Its powerhouse mix includes organic botanicals such as chaste tree berry, raspberry leaf, and nettle leaf, known to aid in women's reproductive health, hormone balance, and energy levels. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 31 July 2023 This related broadleaf winter annual has more of a purplish leaf on top as the new growth emerges, but dead nettle looks very similar to henbit. Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 12 July 2023
Verb
Above all else, this genre nettles the record labels, who view it as an encroachment on their property. WIRED, 6 Nov. 2023 The narrators of these stories are crotchety, easily nettled by the behaviors of other passengers. Jasmine Liu, The New Republic, 24 Oct. 2023 This year, Schaefer, who is chairman of the Texas Freedom Caucus, which has nettled GOP speakers in the past, is author of HB 20. Dallas News, 13 Mar. 2023 In the years that followed, Bobby Sproul, who died in 2002 at 86, would continue to have the kind of success that apparently had nettled Link Williams. oregonlive, 15 Feb. 2023 Gorky’s privileged presence began to nettle Stalin. Algis Valiunas, National Review, 31 Mar. 2022 The pastrami dog is on the lunch menu and only nettling the dining room between 11 AM and 9 PM each day. Mike Sula, Chicago Reader, 12 July 2018 Questions about alternative facts and relative truths have been nettling me for decades. Errol Morris, Time, 22 May 2018 Shame nettles over Rae’s skull like a tight red cap. Karen Russell, The New Yorker, 4 June 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nettle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Old English netel; akin to Old High German nazza nettle, Greek adikē

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nettle was before the 12th century

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Dictionary Entries Near nettle

Cite this Entry

“Nettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nettle. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

nettle

1 of 2 noun
net·​tle ˈnet-ᵊl How to pronounce nettle (audio)
: any of several tall herbs with stinging hairs on the leaves and stems

nettle

2 of 2 verb
nettled; nettling ˈnet-liŋ How to pronounce nettle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to sting with nettles
2
: annoy, vex

Medical Definition

nettle

noun
net·​tle ˈnet-ᵊl How to pronounce nettle (audio)
1
: any plant of the genus Urtica (family Urticaceae, the nettle family)
2
: any of various prickly or stinging plants other than one of the genus Urtica

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