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
Trump’s taunts and global peeves aired during a stream-of-consciousness news conference included criticism of President Biden for ordering an offshore oil drilling ban along most U.S. coastlines two weeks before his successor’s Inauguration. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2025 It’s further reported that according to an unnamed OpenAI executive — which really peeves CEOs — that the new large language model is 100 times more powerful than GPT-4 and is likely to be combined with other LLMs such as 01, which launched in September. Tor Constantino, Mba, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Verb
This isn’t the first time that Harry was allegedly peeved because of Meghan’s Netflix show. Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 5 Sep. 2025 Continue reading … DEMANDING ANSWERS – Top Democrats peeved over $8B Paramount-Skydance merger, citing Trump influence. FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for peeve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peeve
Noun
  • For the patents on some of Novo Nordisk’s hero products in certain regions to be running out is an inevitable headache—companies can only hold them for so long before competitors are able to launch their own products.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Symptoms may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other ailments.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The same survey found more than half of those who support their parents have incurred debt while providing help, and almost half feel resentment toward their parents because of the financial burden.
    Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The presidents of Colombia and Mexico have criticized the attacks, and others have warned of the resentment in the hemisphere were an intervention to follow.
    Alan McPherson, The Conversation, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The situation could be taken as concerning for Alonso, given the precedents of previous Madrid coaches who have tried to impose a certain style of play, or who otherwise annoy superstar players used to having things more their own way.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
  • One report, citing a source close to Sheridan, even claimed the writer was annoyed that Paramount sent too many of its top suits to a meeting designed to keep Sheridan onboard, arguing that Ellison had messed up by bringing more than two execs along with him.
    Josef Adalian, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In Shea Carney's house, those beverage bottles and cans eligible for a 10-cent deposit return have become more of a nuisance than a useful income boost.
    Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 30 Oct. 2025
  • South Milwaukee requires exotic or wild animal owners to get a permit from the City Health Department, which can be denied if the animal poses a danger or nuisance.
    Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Some 51,527 knife crime offenses were recorded by forces in England and Wales in the previous 12 months up until June 2025, according to data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
    Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
  • The Boise State offense started uncharacteristically slowly at home on Saturday anyway, going three-and-out on two drives with Madsen, for minus-6 yards.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Time to start bugging a friend with Hulu + Live TV instead or invest in an antenna.
    Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Both can reduce debris or items that attract the boxelder bugs.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • To eat the nopales, remove the spines (spikes, thorns, or barbs) and use them raw in salads or cooked in soups or tacos.
    Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 22 Oct. 2025
  • What fantastic fantasies will lure risk-seeking treasure hunters to breach the massive walls of iron thorns surrounding mysterious radioactive caverns buried deep in the deserts?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Lloyd evaded a diving Mahomes, Kareem Hunt and a streaking Tyquan Thornton for a huff-and-puff 99-yard interception return for a touchdown.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Kemp looked at the ceiling and blew a huff of air when Schwartz announced the sentence.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Peeve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peeve. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.

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