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

Relevance

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 Of course, the list of invertebrates include mosquitoes, gnats, yellow flies, ticks and other biting pests, which are most annoying June through August but can be nuisances at other times of the year. — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026 What looks like a minor nuisance can quickly damage your vehicle’s clear coat, leaving behind permanent etching if it’s not removed promptly. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 25 July 2026 The property was also accused of violating multiple ordinances regarding prostitution, public nuisance, unlicensed sale of alcohol, unlicensed sale of cannabis, and unlawful use or possession of a firearm. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026 These tiny insects are a summertime nuisance that prey on people, pets, and wildlife, including birds, leaving behind an aggravating itch that can last for more than a week. — Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 22 July 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
  • If every capacity conversation gets treated as an annoyance, that's your answer about how the job will run from here.
    — Andy Molinsky, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • These annoyances just barely prevent Hinge from dethroning our Editors' Choice winners for dating apps, Match and Tinder.
    — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026
Definition of annoyance
Noun
  • Because for sports spread thin across multiple broadcasters, and fewer bars, the headache for fans is only getting sharper.
    — Leo MacLehose, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026
  • Typhus symptoms develop one to two weeks after a person becomes infected, and can include fever, headache, body aches, chills, rash, nausea and vomiting.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Definition of headache
Noun
  • Visitors are reminded to take proper precautions — such as bug spray — to ward off the pests.
    — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026
  • Currently, all vessels entering New Zealand waters are required to have a clean hull to reduce the risk of biofouling pests.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Definition of pest
Noun
  • Since her arrival, Claire has been a thorn in Quinn’s side, constantly pushing her to go back to New York, as for her, Ransom Canyon is little more than a dying town.
    — Barry Levitt, Time, 23 July 2026
  • Blackthorn salt was filtered through something called a tower of thorns.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026
Definition of thorn
Noun
  • In both cases, the assumption is the same—that theatergoers aren’t there for traditional superhero derring-do, only a cavalcade of Easter eggs and teases for upcoming installments to keep the Marvel gravy train running at full steam.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
  • Series stars Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston took to social media to bid farewell to the series and tease at what fans can look forward to in the upcoming installment.
    — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 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
  • The low-end remains modest throughout, with the persistent kick drum never becoming a bother and the bass never quite standing out in the mix.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 8 July 2026
  • Moving to a different state wasn’t a bother.
    — Anthony Aguirre, Miami Herald, 17 June 2026
Definition of bother
Noun
  • Such incidents created frustration among Old Sacramento business owners at the time, according to previous Bee reports, referencing gun violence.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2026
  • The suspension stemmed in part from Liang’s frustration over online reports about his comments to investors during his first financing deal, which closed in June and raised $7 billion for the AI lab, the people said.
    — Haze Fan, Fortune, 25 July 2026
Definition of frustration

Browse Nearby Words

nuggets
nuisance
nuisances
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nuisance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nuisance. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on nuisance

Nglish: Translation of nuisance for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nuisance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All