NETTLE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'nettle' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of nettle are exasperate , irritate , peeve , provoke , and rile . While all these words mean "to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance," nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging. // your pompous attitude nettled several people

Q: When would 'exasperate' be a good substitute for 'nettle'?

Although the words exasperate and nettle have much in common, exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience. // his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions

Q: When might 'irritate' be a better fit than 'nettle'?

While the synonyms irritate and nettle are close in meaning, irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage. // constant nagging that irritated me greatly

Q: In what contexts can 'peeve' take the place of 'nettle'?

The words peeve and nettle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation. // a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie

Q: When is 'provoke' a more appropriate choice than 'nettle'?

The words provoke and nettle can be used in similar contexts, but provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action. // remarks made solely to provoke her

Q: When could 'rile' be used to replace 'nettle'?

In some situations, the words rile and nettle are roughly equivalent. However, rile implies inducing an angry or resentful agitation. // the new work schedules riled the employees

nettle

verb

Definition of nettle

as in to bug

to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts don't nettle your brother while he's trying to do his homework

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word nettle different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of nettle are exasperate, irritate, peeve, provoke, and rile. While all these words mean "to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance," nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging.

your pompous attitude nettled several people

When would exasperate be a good substitute for nettle?

Although the words exasperate and nettle have much in common, exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience.

his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions

When might irritate be a better fit than nettle?

While the synonyms irritate and nettle are close in meaning, irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage.

constant nagging that irritated me greatly

In what contexts can peeve take the place of nettle?

The words peeve and nettle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation.

a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie

When is provoke a more appropriate choice than nettle?

The words provoke and nettle can be used in similar contexts, but provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action.

remarks made solely to provoke her

When could rile be used to replace nettle?

In some situations, the words rile and nettle are roughly equivalent. However, 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 nettle In the years that followed, Bobby Sproul, who died in 2002 at 86, would continue to have the kind of success that apparently had nettled Link Williams. —oregonlive, 15 Feb. 2023 Gorky’s privileged presence began to nettle Stalin. —Algis Valiunas, National Review, 31 Mar. 2022 The pastrami dog is on the lunch menu and only nettling the dining room between 11 AM and 9 PM each day. —Mike Sula, Chicago Reader, 12 July 2018 Questions about alternative facts and relative truths have been nettling me for decades. —Errol Morris, Time, 22 May 2018 See All Example Sentences for nettle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nettle

Verb

The movie's famous final scene sees Hackman's character playing the saxophone after his paranoia has led him to destroy his entire apartment to see if it was bugged.

— Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
Drew played in our first game and had a good game versus Santa Teresa, but he’s got a shoulder injury that’s been bugging him.

— Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025