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

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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 Above all else, this genre nettles the record labels, who view it as an encroachment on their property. — WIRED, 6 Nov. 2023 The narrators of these stories are crotchety, easily nettled by the behaviors of other passengers. — Jasmine Liu, The New Republic, 24 Oct. 2023 This year, Schaefer, who is chairman of the Texas Freedom Caucus, which has nettled GOP speakers in the past, is author of HB 20. — Dallas News, 13 Mar. 2023 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 See All Example Sentences for nettle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nettle

Verb

And as the team moved into the couple’s guest house on their San Diego rental property, the filmmakers feared that the home was bugged and ordered a device to try to de-bug it, without success.

— Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
He’s bugged Jay — the two met online and married two years ago before opening their first restaurant last year — to make sure that includes his crispy duck panang curry.

— Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of bug

Verb

Palo Alto Networks did that after buying [Israeli startup] CyberArk, but why would most companies bother?

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
That woman was truly unbothered, a term tossed around online, but the literal act of not being bothered is impossible for most people beyond the quirkiest, like my onetime neighbor, or maybe Fran Lebowitz.

— Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of bother

Verb

Those governments provide assurances that people won’t be persecuted or tortured, federal attorneys said.

— Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Also, some immigration cases involve people seeking asylum because they are being persecuted by a foreign government and releasing a person’s full name could be considered sensitive or even dangerous.

— Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of persecute

Verb

White said Salvation Brands is not to be confused with the big brand management firms such as Authentic Brands Group and WHP Global, which are getting all the attention these days.

— Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Waddhwa moved to strike a film development deal around the incident after getting unsolicited inquiries from Indian media firms.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of get

Verb

The publication of the book, days before Blazy’s spring 2027 show at the Grand Palais, predictably ruffled some feathers at Chanel.

— Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Or maybe Pitt simply wanted to get his Jack London on, traipsing throughout gorgeous natural terrain and ruffling his co-star’s fur in between fending off feral wolves and navigating impromptu whitewater rafting trips sans the raft.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of ruffle

Browse Nearby Words

nettings

nettle

nettled

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“Nettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nettle. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of nettle

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