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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Example Sentences
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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
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
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow was popular enough that fans wanted a solo story, but the studio didn't bother to make it until her character was already dead in the major timeline, then skipped the theatrical release, which Johansson sued them about.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
19 Apr. 2025
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The Mavericks defeated the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night in Sacramento, 120-106; the Mavs led by more than 20 points in the first half, and the Kings never bothered to muster much of a run to make this interesting.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Seiders, 44, is charged with felony child pornography possession, misdemeanor annoying a child under 18, concealing a camera with intent to invade privacy and attempting to conceal a camera.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
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What annoyed me was good old-fashioned stupid gameplay.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This can be particularly irritating to eczema-prone skin.—
Sierra Leone Starks,
Allure,
18 Apr. 2025
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Pairing some active ingredients can irritate the skin, and other combinations may reduce the effectiveness of the ingredients.1 1.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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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
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The calls came while eating lunch, while lying in bed at night.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The candidates advanced to Sunday’s contest after getting the most votes in February’s first-round election.—
Regina Garcia Cano,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
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In the game, Joel intercedes by shoving the man, Seth, and telling him to get the hell out.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Chelsea and the notion of trust, ruffled Riza and Nuno’s succinct programme notes Michael Cox concentrates on tactical analysis.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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But now Shelby's back, which ruffles the friend group, including the studious Beth Powell (Strazza), the WASP-y Ivy Watkins (Maggie Kuntz), and new student and Atlanta transplant Nell Shaw (Morgan Scott).—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nettle. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.
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