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
Needless to say, the women are more than peeved, and Rob can read the energy in the room. Nick Caruso, TVLine, 23 Jan. 2025 Sandler, peeved, isn’t buying it. William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for peeve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peeve
Noun
  • Some headaches are related to muscle tension and can be triggered by stress.9 Hot showers or baths promote relaxation.
    Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 9 July 2025
  • These can seem like a real headache for a sole trader who does not have an HR department to take care of all this for them.
    Peter Boolkah, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • None of that is his fault, but frustration built up in the fanbase and developed into resentment from a section.
    Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • Still, longtime fans had resigned themselves to watching grainy clips on YouTube, concluding that the resentment between the Gallaghers ran too deep to ever prompt a reunion.
    Paula Mejía, Vulture, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • Francie instantly annoys Nat by kissing Pete hello, and the two women start yelling at each other immediately.
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 27 June 2025
  • If visible bulbs and cables annoy you, these aren’t for you.
    Simon Hill, Wired News, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Neighbors call in concerned about true nuisances that could affect the enjoyment of their private property.
    Andrew Wimer, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Reactions to the sudden move varied: Those in the community who considered the festival a nuisance were relieved.
    Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • Many of those are traffic, immigration or nonviolent vice offenses.
    Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
  • This was a bounceback — for Garrett, for a besieged bullpen, for an offense that might finally be clicking, for a team backed into a corner and starting, belatedly, to punch its way out.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • Say your mother kept bugging you to change a bad habit.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • Next season is when all the little things start to bug me.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • James Tolkan plays Gerald Strickland, who worked at Hill Valley High School and, in both 1955 and 1985, was a thorn in the side of the McFlys.
    Jonathon Dornbush, EW.com, 3 July 2025
  • Many people had thoughts about what was said, especially the constant thorn in Puff’s side, 50 Cent.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Getty Images To date, the post has amassed more than 900 comments from TikTok viewers, many of them poking fun at the golden retriever mother's annoyed expression and shallow huffs.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
  • The chute opens, and rambunctious No. 2 bursts out with an impatient huff.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Peeve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peeve. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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