nettle

1 of 2

noun

net·​tle ˈne-tᵊl 

1

: any of a genus (Urtica of the family Urticaceae, the nettle family) of chiefly coarse herbs armed with stinging hairs

… legs, which smarted from the stings of nettles …

—James Stephens

2

: any of various prickly or stinging plants other than the true nettles (genus Urtica)

Illustration of nettle

• nettle 1

nettle

2 of 2

verb

nettled; nettling ˈnet-liŋ 

ˈne-tᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

1

: to strike or sting with or as if with nettles

2

: to arouse to sharp but transitory annoyance or anger

Did you know?

If you've ever brushed against nettles, you know those weeds have sharp bristles that can leave you smarting and itching. The painful and irritating rash that nettles cause can last for days, but at least it is a rash with a linguistic silver lining. The discomfort caused by nettles can serve to remind one that the verb nettle is a synonym of irritate. Nettle originated as a plant name that we can trace to the Old English word netel. Eventually, people likened the nagging itch caused by the plant to the nagging aggravation of being annoyed, and nettle became a synonym of vex, peeve, and of course irritate.

Synonyms

Verb

• aggravate
• annoy
• bother
• bug
• burn (up)
• chafe
• eat
• exasperate
• frost
• gall
• get
• grate
• gripe
• hack (off)
• irk
• irritate
• itch
• nark [British]
• peeve
• persecute
• pique
• put out
• rasp
• rile
• ruffle
• spite
• vex

Choose the Right Synonym for nettle

irritate, exasperate, nettle, provoke, rile, peeve mean to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance.

irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage.

constant nagging that irritated me greatly

exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience.

his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions

nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging.

your pompous attitude nettled several people

provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action.

remarks made solely to provoke her

rile implies inducing an angry or resentful agitation.

the new work schedules riled the employees

peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation.

a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie

Examples of nettle in a Sentence

Verb

The mayor's recent actions have nettled some members of the community.

It nettles him that his younger coworker got a promotion before he did.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The delicate insect was well seasoned and rested on a crispy leaf made from juiced kale, parsley, and spinach, accompanied by fresh nettle cheese. —Megan Murphy, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2025

In the wild, noxious stinging nettle is known to create colonies covering an acre or more of earth. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2024

Verb

Still, Amazon’s Monday-night entry will nettle traditional competitors. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 6 Jan. 2025

Above all else, this genre nettles the record labels, who view it as an encroachment on their property. —WIRED, 6 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Old English netel; akin to Old High German nazza nettle, Greek adikē

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing nettle

• grasp the nettle
• hemp nettle
• horse nettle
• nettle rash
• sea nettle
• stinging nettle

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Kids Definition

nettle

1 of 2 noun

net·​tle ˈnet-ᵊl 

: any of several tall herbs with stinging hairs on the leaves and stems

nettle

2 of 2 verb

nettled; nettling ˈnet-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

1

: to sting with nettles

2

: annoy, vex

Medical Definition

nettle

noun

net·​tle ˈnet-ᵊl 

1

: any plant of the genus Urtica (family Urticaceae, the nettle family)

2

: any of various prickly or stinging plants other than one of the genus Urtica