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
When Walker hit a homer before Wyatt, the older brother was peeved. Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 15 June 2025 Miami Springs is not the only entity peeved at the pending sale. Theo Karantsalis, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for peeve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peeve
Noun
  • In a recent study by Climate Rights International, workers spoke of experiencing excessive sweating, headaches, fever, nausea, heat palpitations, dehydration and temporary vision loss.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Soldiers reported headaches and nausea, leading Congress to cut funding in 2022.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • So, for example, the Republicans who have the highest racial resentment against Black Americans are the most likely to be morally disengaged from Democrats.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Try to temper your resentment by remembering that the lingering presence of the sandbox is not about you.
    R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Don't push sales and annoy people.
    Nitin Gupta, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Comments about my fast walk annoy me.
    Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • According to the California Penal Code, a nuisance can be charged as a misdemeanor.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The recent interference with the European Commission President’s aircraft showed how quickly GPS denial can shift from nuisance to geopolitical signal.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • At least 25 people were arrested in offenses including violent disorder, assaults and criminal damage, and the investigation continues, police said.
    BRIAN MELLEY, Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
  • So what does this offense look like when Xavier Worthy comes back and Rashee Rice comes off suspension?
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Power gains are bugged to be too low for a new power grind that no one wants to do anyway.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • On average, the matador bugs increased their waving behavior seven times more in the presence of the predatory mantids.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • An assertive Iran has been especially a thorn in the side of Saudi Arabia, which strives to be the dominant Muslim majority power in the region.
    David Mednicoff, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
  • For the second straight season, Geno Smith has proven to be a thorn in the Patriots’ side, even if the veteran quarterback doesn’t see it that way.
    Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Kemp looked at the ceiling and blew a huff of air when Schwartz announced the sentence.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2025
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Peeve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peeve. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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