nettle

verb

Definition of nettlenext
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

Synonym Chooser

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 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 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 See All Example Sentences for nettle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nettle
  1. bug
  2. bother
  3. annoy
  4. irritate
  5. persecute
  6. eat
  7. get
  8. ruffle
Verb
  • Aaron Boone said Bellinger’s back started bugging him during Thursday’s game against the Diamondbacks.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Ralph Macchio on the one thing that still bugs him about Karate Kid Part II My Cousin Vinny tells the story of three bombastic Italian-Americans caught up in an over-the-top legal drama.
    — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of bug
Verb
  • Because Congress never bothered to write a law to establish it.
    — Jay Cost, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Chicago Bears - Will Campbell, OL, LSU Will Campbell has fallen a bit due to his shorter arm length, but that likely won't bother Ben Johnson.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of bother
Verb
  • Waltz now has a bunch of top officials, and their teams, who are annoyed at him for drawing bad publicity.
    — Marc Caputo, Axios, 25 Mar. 2025
  • However, standing in the middle of a road to capture the Eiffel Tower in the background is not only unsafe but can also annoy locals.
    — Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of annoy
Verb
  • If not properly diluted, vinegar's acidity can irritate your throat or erode tooth enamel over time.
    — Johna Burdeos, Health, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The second walk irritated the pitcher, as home plate umpire Bruce Dreckman’s ball four call on a 3-2 count appeared incorrect.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of irritate
Verb
  • Sold to the public as increasing transparency, the legislation has been utilized to persecute Georgia’s opposition and arrest dissidents with impunity.
    — Anastasiya Zavyalova, The Conversation, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Again, none of these Beautiful People ever thought of assisting Americans who were being persecuted by the Deep State these last few years before Jan. 20.
    — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of persecute
Verb
  • This spot for soccer fans offers lots of pub fare to eat and drink.
    — Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The successful hatchings come about a year after Scout ate two of his chicks as a first-time dad, leaving the pair with no surviving eaglets from their first nesting season, McClatchy News previously reported.
    — Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of eat
Verb
  • This refreshing serum gets its tingle from peppermint and tea tree, which works with caffeine to invigorate the scalp and maximize the absorption of the formula’s peptides.
    — Emily Orofino, Vogue, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Buttery, flaky croissants peak through and get nice and toasty in the oven.
    — Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of get
Verb
  • The fluttery, ruffled sleeves won’t restrict movement with too-tight fabric while still keeping you cool as temperatures rise, and a tiered skirt allows easy movement with every step.
    — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2025
  • There’s so much to love about this long eyelet dress, from its quarter-length bell sleeves to the tiered skirt and ruffled hemline.
    — Emily Weaver, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
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 22 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on nettle

Nglish: Translation of nettle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nettle

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