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 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 See All Example Sentences for nettle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nettle
Verb
  • Say your mother kept bugging you to change a bad habit.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • Next season is when all the little things start to bug me.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Also on this episode: With Emmy nomination voting ending on Monday, the Roundtable takes one more look at the major categories, how the number of submissions has changed some of the competition and who didn’t bother to join in.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 20 June 2025
  • Orban said in February that organisers should not even bother organizing Pride in Budapest this year.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • If your idea of patience looks like being endlessly agreeable, never getting annoyed, and staying calm through any inconvenience….
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 17 June 2025
  • We get used to it quickly, and will be annoyed when it is replaced.
    Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • Spicy foods: Spicy foods may irritate the stomach and intestines, which could worsen or extend food poisoning symptoms.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 21 June 2025
  • This will irritate them and also decrease their likelihood of returning.
    Bartosz Skwarczek, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • With his penchant for menacing models, black-out contact lenses and jutting shoulders, Owens is also a forever torchbearer for different kinds of beauty, and a safe haven for people who feel persecuted for being outside the norm.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 25 June 2025
  • The regimes that persecute religious minorities are also the ones that oppress women, LGBTQ people, journalists, and dissidents.
    Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • This spot for soccer fans offers lots of pub fare to eat and drink.
    Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The calls came while eating lunch, while lying in bed at night.
    Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • As New York closed in on Tuesday's vote, more investors got nervous as the polls showed Mamdani was leading.
    Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 26 June 2025
  • Daniels gets his guy Aiyuk, who's the younger, and potentially better receiver.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Beyoncé suffered a wardrobe malfunction during her Cowboy Carter Tour on Thursday night (June 5), but not even having her pants fall down on stage can ruffle Queen Bey’s feathers.
    Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 6 June 2025
  • Mercury will also go head-to-head with Pluto retrograde on June 28, leaving you with no choice but to speak your truth and perhaps ruffle some feathers along the way.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nettle. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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