NETTLE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

nettle

verb

Definition of nettle

as in to bug

to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts don't nettle your brother while he's trying to do his homework

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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 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 See All Example Sentences for nettle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nettle

Verb

The Department of Justice’s prosecution of a Saudi national for allegedly bugging an OpenAI conference room is causing anxiety among OpenAI employees, many of whom are foreign nationals.

— Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
On Monday, a court granted the US government’s request to deny release of a former OpenAI engineer accused of bugging a top-secret conference room to steal the frontier lab’s secrets.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of bug

Verb

In fact, the movie doesn’t even bother revealing Fang’s ultimate fate; but then again, he’s been fully vindicated in the court of public opinion, so who cares?

— Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026
Nothing shows the world that the outside noise doesn’t bother you quite like preparing a statement ahead of time about how much the outside noise doesn’t bother you.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of bother

Verb

Raymond Lopez, alderman of Chicago’s 15th Ward, told the station that the other driver appeared to be annoyed about something that happened several blocks back.

— Adam England, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2026
Studio executives who annoyed her might find their films receiving tepid coverage.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of annoy

Verb

The Paxton campaign decried the reporting, without denying it, while saying he had been politically persecuted.

— Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
The company named all its weapons after Ukrainian intellectuals and artists killed or persecuted by Russians in the last century.

— Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of persecute

Verb

Caraballeda’s tropical, beachfront climate could have been a factor, as well as possible impurities in the concrete used, which can eat away at the metal bars.

— Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2026
The Anti-Defamation League, meanwhile, has urged residents to eat at the restaurants targeted by the demonstration, describing the campaign as an effort to intimidate Philadelphia’s Jewish community.

— Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of eat

Verb

The Brockmans have dined with Sylvester Stallone at the Kennedy Center, attended black-tie events at the White House, and even walked the blue carpet at the Met Gala, where Anna wore a black-and-white ruffled gown by Korean designer Ashlynn Park.

— Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 2 Nov. 2026
The Kansas City Chiefs signing embattled kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad has ruffled many football feathers on social media.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of ruffle

Browse Nearby Words

nettings

nettle

nettled

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“Nettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nettle. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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