Synonyms of peeve

peeve 1 of 2

noun

1

as in headache

something that is a source of irritation

my main peeve with the animal welfare organization is the endless stream of unsolicited trinkets in my mailbox

Synonyms & Similar Words

• headache
• nuisance
• thorn
• frustration
• problem
• worry
• annoyance
• irritant
• bugbear
• inconvenience
• irk
• rub
• exasperation
• vexation
• aggravation
• bother
• pest
• insult
• ruffle
• hair shirt
• trial
• discomfort
• menace
• hassle
• aggro
• botheration
• burden
• curse
• affront
• trouble
• predicament
• anxiety
• plague
• upset
• pinprick
• offender
• pet peeve
• plight
• sore
• albatross
• annoyer
• cross
• tribulation
• millstone
• disturber
• hang-up
• fleabite
• offense
• harasser
• mischief
• affliction
• pandora's box

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasure
• joy
• delight

2

as in resentment

the feeling of being offended or resentful after a slight or indignity

he holds on to a peeve until the offending person apologizes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• resentment
• offense
• huff
• anger
• frustration
• umbrage
• irritation
• annoyance
• indignation
• exasperation
• pique
• dudgeon
• displeasure
• miff
• discomfort
• outrage
• grief
• indignity
• upset
• pet
• ire
• agitation
• insult
• distress
• perturbation
• angriness
• aggravation
• vexation
• affront
• dander
• bother
• disturbance
• slight
• tantrum
• temper
• tizzy
• barb
• slur
• pouts
• botheration
• irateness
• slap
• fit
• sulk(s)
• brickbat
• put-down
• dig

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• satisfaction
• pleasure
• delight
• pacification
• appeasement
• gratification
• happiness
• contentment
• mollification

peeve

2 of 2

verb

ˈpēv 

as in to annoy

to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts

she is constantly peeved by his habit of humming show tunes while she is trying to focus on her work

Synonyms & Similar Words

• annoy
• bug
• bother
• irritate
• persecute
• gripe
• aggravate
• irk
• worry
• exasperate
• spite
• get
• infuriate
• eat
• vex
• anger
• grate
• burn (up)
• chafe
• pique
• rile
• itch
• get to
• ruffle
• plague
• tease
• wear on
• rasp
• frost
• gall
• put out
• insult
• hack (off)
• rub the wrong way
• nark
• provoke
• nag
• upset
• get on one's nerves
• enrage
• nettle
• offend
• set one's teeth on edge
• stick in one's craw
• hassle
• harass
• get one's goat
• heckle
• outrage
• rouse
• devil
• discomfort
• badger
• distress
• harry
• antagonize
• affront
• inflame
• disquiet
• agitate
• bait
• pester
• rankle
• unsettle
• discompose
• exercise
• fret
• incense
• madden
• bullyrag
• unhinge
• perturb
• undo
• miff
• roil
• hagride
• freak (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• oblige
• please
• placate
• appease
• delight
• pacify
• conciliate
• satisfy
• gratify
• mollify
• assure
• cheer
• content
• comfort
• reassure
• propitiate
• soothe
• console
• quiet
• gladden
• solace

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

Recent Examples of peeve

Noun

United’s co-owner being on site led to a sweep of the open-plan offices to ensure no untidiness, especially that desks were clear of empty cups, believed to be a particular Ratcliffe peeve. — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025

The recent columns about viewers’ TV peeves have generated a lot of mail, including this letter. — Rich Heldenfels, Boston Herald, 22 Feb. 2025

Verb

The guests are peeved that Tyler would have snuck a makeup artist onboard, since everyone was supposed to do their own makeup. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026

Warren is particularly peeved with all that polite nibbling. — Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 13 Jan. 2026

Phrases Containing peeve

• pet peeve