nettle

Synonym Chooser

How is the word nettle different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of nettle are exasperate, irritate, peeve, provoke, and rile. While all these words mean "to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance," nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging.

your pompous attitude nettled several people

When would exasperate be a good substitute for nettle?

Although the words exasperate and nettle have much in common, exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience.

his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions

When might irritate be a better fit than nettle?

While the synonyms irritate and nettle are close in meaning, irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage.

constant nagging that irritated me greatly

In what contexts can peeve take the place of nettle?

The words peeve and nettle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation.

a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie

When is provoke a more appropriate choice than nettle?

The words provoke and nettle can be used in similar contexts, but provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action.

remarks made solely to provoke her

When could rile be used to replace nettle?

In some situations, the words rile and nettle are roughly equivalent. However, rile implies inducing an angry or resentful agitation.

the new work schedules riled the employees

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nettle 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 See All Example Sentences for nettle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nettle
Verb
  • Co-worker bugging you during heads down time?
    Sam Woodward, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Banks has bugged Kerkering to clean his locker, to no avail.
    Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Such hard coaching would bother some players.
    Jay King, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Continue reading … HIT THE ROAD – Duffy responds to trucker who 'couldn't be bothered' to learn English in America.
    , FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • He was annoyed when people advocated that.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Some people may be annoyed with thousands of fake videos of themselves flooding the internet, but Paul seems to be amused by it.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Combining three different actives (AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs) in one product without totally irritating the skin seems like an impossible task, yet Some by Mi has accomplished it with this ease.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Always dilute apple cider vinegar with water and drink through a straw to avoid damaging tooth enamel and irritating the esophagus.
    Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • These regimes persecute minorities, jail anyone who speaks freely, and rule through fear and censorship.
    Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Blasphemy accusations have been used repeatedly to persecute Christians and other religious minorities in the country.
    Sean Nelson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Some examples might include taking a 15- to 20-minute morning walk, eating a healthy breakfast and writing down one positive thing that happened that day.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2025
  • This syndrome causes nausea, diarrhea, sweating, and flushing after eating.
    Carrie Madormo, Health, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Their speed means the drones can often get to a crime scene faster than an officer, the chief said.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025
  • But getting there may have been the easy part.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Wolfpack have a chance to ruffle some feathers and pick up a big upset win this week at Notre Dame.
    Grace Raynor, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Or perhaps a sweater dress is more your speed; both Éterne’s turtleneck number and Dôen’s ruffled take pair perfectly with knee-high boots and a wool coat for everyday outings.
    Kristina Rutkowski, Glamour, 9 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nettle. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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