nuisance

noun

ˈnü-sᵊn(t)s How to pronounce nuisance (audio)
Definition of nuisancenext
1
as in annoyance
one who is obnoxiously annoying the new neighbor is threatening to become a nuisance, dropping in on us several times a day

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation folding up this map correctly is such a nuisance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 nuisance That’s all to say that, while large and important, Telegram is also seen as a nuisance politically and a problematic platform in its own right. — Emma Roth, The Verge, 7 Aug. 2026 The second phase of the trial, which began in May, would establish if Meta's actions created a public nuisance, thus warranting potential product changes. — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026 Public nuisance Biedscheid heard three weeks of testimony during the second trial over the lawsuit, which did not involve a jury. — Andrew Hay, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 Bots were once a fairly small portion of traffic and primarily treated as a threat or a nuisance; today, around 57% of web traffic consists of bots, according to Cloudflare’s chief strategy officer, Stephanie Cohen. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nuisance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nuisance
  1. annoyance
  2. headache
  3. pest
  4. thorn
  5. tease
  6. irritant
  7. bother
  8. frustration
Noun
  • Seat switchers—passengers who ask to switch seats—also made the list as the top annoyance for 20 percent of respondents.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Its innovation strategy starts with recurring consumer annoyances.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of annoyance
Noun
  • AutoCamp is also a short walk to the main drag, sparing guests the headache of the limited parking around shops and restaurants.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Friday provided a brief but clear reminder of what kind of headache that could be for opposing defensive coordinators.
    — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of headache
Noun
  • At the packing plants, inspections continue, checking quality, the fruit’s flesh and possible pests.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • This pest was prevalent in gardens a couple of years ago and in high enough populations to kill magnolia trees without controlling it.
    — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of pest
Noun
  • Their kickers’ health and performance for years have been one of the thorns in the team’s side.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • With hill country roots and dangerous charm, Zak has been raised since birth to carry on the Farley racing dynasty, a thorn in the Whitlock family’s side.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of thorn
Noun
  • Her festival shows are just a tease for what’s to come for her upcoming Music, Fashion, Film tour later this year.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Also, the end-credits scene where a modern-day Carol meets the Avengers is one heck of a flash-forward tease.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of tease
Noun
  • Sharks are known to rub against reefs, sand, rocks and even the seafloor to remove irritants.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Powder emitted from an airbag deployment in Hampton’s car could have been an irritant to Hampton’s eyes, Brissette suggested.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
Definition of irritant
Noun
  • My number was a bother to my friends because of the two zeros.
    — Murr Brewster, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 2026
  • City officials and neighbors assert that the constant stream of vehicles at the charging stations create light and sound pollution and cause undue traffic congestion on the streets and nearby alleys, creating a collective bother and disruption.
    — Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of bother
Noun
  • Whenever Biya eventually leaves office, his successor will inherit a country also facing attacks by Boko Haram militants in the north and deep economic frustration among young people.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than treating Debra’s frustrations as something distant from her own life, Heaton drew from the reality of raising her own kids while working on the series.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustration

Browse Nearby Words

nuggets
nuisance
nuisances
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Cite this Entry

“Nuisance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nuisance. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on nuisance

Nglish: Translation of nuisance for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nuisance

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