peeve 1 of 2

peeve

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word peeve different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of peeve are exasperate, irritate, nettle, provoke, and rile. While all these words mean "to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance," peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation.

a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie

In what contexts can exasperate take the place of peeve?

In some situations, the words exasperate and peeve are roughly equivalent. However, exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience.

his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions

When can irritate be used instead of peeve?

Although the words irritate and peeve have much in common, irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage.

constant nagging that irritated me greatly

When might nettle be a better fit than peeve?

The words nettle and peeve can be used in similar contexts, but nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging.

your pompous attitude nettled several people

When would provoke be a good substitute for peeve?

While the synonyms provoke and peeve are close in meaning, provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action.

remarks made solely to provoke her

When is it sensible to use rile instead of peeve?

The synonyms rile and peeve are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 peeve
Noun
Seeing cooks walk back and forth to their pantry is one of Roger’s top peeves. Marni Jameson, Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2024 During his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden reached for one of his top recent peeves: shrinkflation. Alina Selyukh, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024
Verb
And people are often peeved to hear about it. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 25 Nov. 2024 Billionaire tech CEOs Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, Sundar Pichai of Google, Tim Cook of Apple, and Elon Musk got prime seats at President Trump’s inauguration in the Capitol rotunda — peeving lawmakers in both parties. Emily Brooks, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for peeve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peeve
Noun
  • But string and yarn can become a headache for owners if their cats get their paws on it, which is exactly what happened to TikTok user @healingat40.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • That outage effectively shut down one of the nation’s busiest airports for approximately two hours, and led to days of cancellations, delays and headaches for travelers.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • But until Tuesday afternoon, four days out, there had been no announcement of what acts would be performing, or even where the show would be held The radio silence annoyed fans, who said so online.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025
  • Nearly one-half of Republicans (52%) are annoyed with how much attention is being paid to climate change vs. only 13% for Democrats.
    Robert G. Eccles, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • Resurging opposition to fluoridation — the practice of adding fluoride to public water systems at safe levels to prevent tooth decay — has been a nuisance for dentists, researchers and public health experts.
    Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 12 May 2025
  • How to get rid of gnats Generally, gnats are more of a nuisance than an actual threat to humans.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 7 May 2025
Noun
  • The chute opens, and rambunctious No. 2 bursts out with an impatient huff.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Volunteers were charged around 25 cents per huff, bringing in good profit for those who’d invested in the necessary gas tanks, tubes, and breathing bags.
    Oshan Jarow, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Curry is 37 and played Sunday with his right thumb wrapped in athletic tape, nursing an ailment that has bugged him all season.
    Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
  • And for me, nothing bugs me more than engaging in social activities to check the box rather than making meaningful connections.
    Time, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Lai, a pugnacious former publisher whose now shuttered tabloid Apple Daily was a regular thorn in Beijing’s side, is in the midst of a national security trial that could send him to prison for life.
    Juliana Liu, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
  • The absence of Curry will be a big thorn in the Warriors' side as he's been great these playoffs.
    Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
Noun
  • The city councilor and over two dozen residents responded to Eureka Street after the presence of federal agents in the neighborhood sparked anger Thursday morning.
    Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
  • Tangent Posts made by the X account named after Prevost triggered anger among some of the president’s most vocal supporters online.
    Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Or Xander Schauffele, the defending PGA champion who is surely not bothered by the lack of attention on him early this week.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • That doesn’t mean the implication doesn’t bother him.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Peeve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peeve. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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