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
  • Martínez was a headache to both pitchers, hitting a grand slam against Sandlin and finishing with a career-high six RBIs as the Guardians defeated the Sox 8-2.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • This lounge set will give you one less headache on travel day.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of headache
Noun
  • The company has also offered assistance for temporary relocation, utility bills and pest-control supplies.
    — Celina Tebor, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Plus, this will make your lawn more susceptible to pests and diseases.
    — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of pest
Noun
  • As new-ish CBS News chieftain Bari Weiss looks poised to rule over CNN too, there are worries in Blue State and MSM circles about the fate of the cable newser — a thorn in Donald Trump‘s paw — if the ParaBros deal closes.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026
  • These networks used to buffer against isolation and economic displacement—the thorns of modern life that make partnership more valuable yet love more difficult to find.
    — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of thorn
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • Survivors have expressed frustration and criticized the Japanese government's support for nuclear deterrence for being insincere.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has not publicly commented on their investigation for weeks, deferring questions to the district attorney — who acknowledged the public’s frustration.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 8 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 14 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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