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
As a bonus, people were extremely peeved that the techno heavy Challengers soundtrack wasn’t nominated for best original score at the Oscars. Katie Bain, Billboard, 24 Jan. 2025 Needless to say, the women are more than peeved, and Rob can read the energy in the room. Nick Caruso, TVLine, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for peeve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peeve
Noun
  • While the flu shot can cause redness and soreness at the injection site, as well as fever, muscle aches, headache and fatigue, FluMist can cause flu-like symptoms, including runny nose, congestion, sore throat, cough, fever, and muscle aches.
    Alice Park, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Residents report constant running noses, headaches and sore throats.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • When bids are ignored or rejected, resentment and distance build.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Manage social media: Constantly checking a former friend's posts fuels resentment and sadness.
    Cameron Schoppa Sonal Nain, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But overall, people seem to finally comprehend that the protests aren’t just to annoy people.
    Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025
  • This not only infuriated Epstein conspiracy theorists but also annoyed White House officials, who hadn’t been informed of the stunt in advance.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Weaver, the California waterfowl coordinator, said others were likely brought in the past few years to chase away Canada geese that have increasingly become a nuisance at parks and golf courses.
    CalMatters, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The presence of drones has caused alarm in communities—and the buzzing noise has sometimes become a nuisance.
    Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Jake Haro's previous criminal offenses According to state court records obtained by USA TODAY, Jake Haro was convicted in June 2023 of willful child cruelty for an incident involving another child in the nearby town of Hemet.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2025
  • George Springer helped lead Toronto’s offense, going 3 for 6 with a solo homer, a double and an RBI single.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The characters muse about the extreme likelihood that their apartments have been bugged.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2025
  • That question also bugs the folks at The Utility Reform Network.
    Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 31 July 2025
Noun
  • Nearly ten months later, that tycoon Jimmy Lai – a pro-democracy firebrand and persistent thorn in Beijing’s side – remains behind bars.
    Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Turnover remains a thorn in the retail industry’s side.
    Michael Spataro, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 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 28 Aug. 2025.

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