nettle

noun

net·tle | \ ˈne-tᵊl

Definition of nettle

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 nettles … —James Stephens

2 : any of various prickly or stinging plants other than the true nettles (genus Urtica)

nettle

verb

nettled; nettling\ˈnet-liŋ,

ˈne-tᵊl-iŋ \

Definition of nettle (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to strike or sting with or as if with nettles

2 : to arouse to sharp but transitory annoyance or anger

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about nettle

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Choose the Right Synonym for nettle

Verb

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

Did You Know?

Verb

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."

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

With none in sight, Merkel and her colleagues are forced to grasp the migration nettle again at their June 28-29 summit. — Washington Post, "Disputed policies on migrants are the top threat to EU unity," 16 June 2018 Crispy oysters get dressed in creamed nettles and frozen horseradish mousse. — Michael Bauer, SFChronicle.com, "The 4 best tasting-menu restaurants in the Mission," 17 June 2018 What’s more, making nettles a regular part of the diet helps quell allergies and arthritis. — Sunset, "Top 10 Medicinal Plants You Can Grow at Home," 22 Jan. 2018 Cleavers, nettles and bindweed, rejected as too thuggish, were pulled. — Amy Merrick, WSJ, "5 Lessons From the Punk Rockers of Gardening," 26 Apr. 2018 Use one of the liquids to spray over the foliage of the burning nettle following label instructions. — Tom Maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Cooler weather leads to more hardy azaleas," 17 Mar. 2018 Stinging nettles love cool, damp weather and are generally in season during the late winter months. — Noelle Carter, latimes.com, "Polenta, frittata and more great recipes for stinging nettles, now in season," 9 Feb. 2018 For the sake of our football club, the board must grasp the nettle. — SI.com, "Carlo Ancelotti Eyes Return to Premier League Management With Arsenal Amid Wenger Rumours," 28 Feb. 2018 Toiletries bcreated for the hotel were provided in a tart Irish nettle scent. — New York Times, "In Belfast, a Hotel Inspired by a Steve McQueen Movie," 24 Feb. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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, "At 3 Squares Diner there’s a dog that won’t bark," 12 July 2018 Questions about alternative facts and relative truths have been nettling me for decades. — Errol Morris, Time, "Why Donald Trump Can't Kill the Truth," 22 May 2018 Shame nettles over Rae’s skull like a tight red cap. — Karen Russell, The New Yorker, "Orange World," 4 June 2017 What nettled him was the news media’s unquestioning reiteration of that claim. — Margalit Fox, New York Times, "Naomi Parker Fraley, the Real Rosie the Riveter, Dies at 96," 22 Jan. 2018 Gorsuch is a pale imitation of his predecessor, boasting a bratty attitude that has nettled justices across the ideological spectrum. — Mark Joseph Stern, Slate Magazine, "Why rumors of a Gorsuch–Kagan clash at the Supreme Court are such a bombshell.," 18 Oct. 2017 Worries about the health of the long-term-care insurance industry have nettled investors for years. — Leslie Scism, WSJ, "General Electric Has a Long-Term Care Problem. It Isn’t Alone," 23 Oct. 2017 As a presidential candidate, Mr. Sanders nettled some Jews by making a campaign appearance on Rosh Hashana, a day most Jews take off from work, at Liberty University, an evangelical college in Virginia founded by the Rev. Jerry Falwell. — Joseph Berger, New York Times, "Bernie Sanders Is Jewish, but He Doesn’t Like to Talk About It," 24 Feb. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nettle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.