NUISANCE Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

nuisance

noun

ˈnü-sᵊn(t)s

Definition of nuisance

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

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 On Thursday, the nuisance from the wings was the one being gawked at by a cast young enough to be his kids — a detail Wilson clocked from backstage. — Sarah Grant, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026 Toilet Bowl Rings Pink or orange rings around your toilet bowl are a common bathroom nuisance. — Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2026 What seems like a nuisance turns out to be a boon as Mercury harmonizes with Uranus. — Usa Today, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026 The suit, among its claims, alleges public nuisance and unlawful business practices. — Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nuisance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nuisance

Noun

Unfortunately, the sound system problems that began during the Romantics set (and would actually continue during Toto’s performance) hit their height of annoyance while Cross was on the stage.

— Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of annoyance

Noun

These include a severe or persistent headache, changes in vision such as blurred vision or seeing spots, pain in the upper abdomen, significant swelling of the face or hands, shortness of breath, and nausea or vomiting later in pregnancy.

— Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
But in some cases, West Nile can reach the brain and cause extreme headaches, meningitis, tremors, convulsions and paralysis.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of headache

Noun

How to Use Essential Oils to Repel Flies Always dilute essential oils before using them for pest control.

— Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 21 Aug. 2026
Although the number of patients coming to the clinics has decreased over time, Mangia said, there is still concern about other issues tied to the warehouse site, such as the pests.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of pest

Noun

Baydon's tattoo needle is a spiky thorn of a pomelo tree attached to a thin bamboo reed.

— Marisol Delarosa, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
That would be, of course, the dozen attorneys general led by California’s Rob Bonta, whose antitrust lawsuit last month seeking to block the merger has been a thorn in Ellison’s side.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of thorn

Noun

Success can feel like a cruel tease, fleetingly unattainable and yet when finally achieved, too dangerous to enjoy too long.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
An update on the progress being made in Villains Land in Magic Kingdom, including the tease of two attractions—a roller coaster inspired by Maleficent and a dark ride inspired by the Magic Mirror.

— Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 18 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

That ambiguity is echoed in Banks’ score, which takes on the tone of a lament and a celebration, frustration and hope, struggle and liberation, the quest for transcendence in the face of the challenges posed by daunting inequities.

— George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
The move follows efforts by Pinterest and LinkedIn to respond to users’ frustrations with AI slop in their feeds.

— Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of frustration

Browse Nearby Words

nuggets

nuisance

nuisances

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Nuisance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nuisance. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of nuisance

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on nuisance

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

prowess

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes