peeve 1 of 2

peeve

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verb

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of peeve are exasperate, irritate, nettle, provoke, and rile. While all these words mean "to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance," peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation.

a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie

In what contexts can exasperate take the place of peeve?

In some situations, the words exasperate and peeve are roughly equivalent. However, exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience.

his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions

When can irritate be used instead of peeve?

Although the words irritate and peeve have much in common, irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage.

constant nagging that irritated me greatly

When might nettle be a better fit than peeve?

The words nettle and peeve can be used in similar contexts, but nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging.

your pompous attitude nettled several people

When would provoke be a good substitute for peeve?

While the synonyms provoke and peeve are close in meaning, provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action.

remarks made solely to provoke her

When is it sensible to use rile instead of peeve?

The synonyms rile and peeve are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 peeve
Noun
Seeing cooks walk back and forth to their pantry is one of Roger’s top peeves. Marni Jameson, Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2024 During his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden reached for one of his top recent peeves: shrinkflation. Alina Selyukh, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024
Verb
As a bonus, people were extremely peeved that the techno heavy Challengers soundtrack wasn’t nominated for best original score at the Oscars. Katie Bain, Billboard, 24 Jan. 2025 Needless to say, the women are more than peeved, and Rob can read the energy in the room. Nick Caruso, TVLine, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for peeve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peeve
Noun
  • Residents report constant running noses, headaches and sore throats.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
  • While the flu shot can cause redness and soreness at the injection site, as well as fever, muscle aches, headache and fatigue, FluMist can cause flu-like symptoms, including runny nose, congestion, sore throat, cough, fever, and muscle aches.
    Alice Park, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • What better excuse to bring together a motley crew of characters who know exactly how best to push one another’s buttons and dredge up long-simmering resentments in the process?
    Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Those sentiments — resentment that Black people did not appreciate California’s efforts at desegregation, anger that Black people would resort to violence — suggested a core of white discontent.
    CalMatters, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Bankrate also recently released a survey showing that 38% are annoyed by pre-entered tip screens at coffee shops, food trucks, etc.
    Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
  • At the array's center is a 118-dB speaker unit and a 9cc sound cavity to annoy fellow travelers with your excellent taste in music or be a useful audio beacon in emergencies.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Weaver, the California waterfowl coordinator, said others were likely brought in the past few years to chase away Canada geese that have increasingly become a nuisance at parks and golf courses.
    CalMatters, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The presence of drones has caused alarm in communities—and the buzzing noise has sometimes become a nuisance.
    Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Sanders is the only one of the four quarterbacks who has been with the team since the spring who hasn’t played at least some with the No. 1 offense in camp.
    Zac Jackson, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2025
  • On the year, the Dodgers have performed as one of the best offenses in the sport.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The characters muse about the extreme likelihood that their apartments have been bugged.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2025
  • That question also bugs the folks at The Utility Reform Network.
    Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 31 July 2025
Noun
  • Nearly ten months later, that tycoon Jimmy Lai – a pro-democracy firebrand and persistent thorn in Beijing’s side – remains behind bars.
    Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Turnover remains a thorn in the retail industry’s side.
    Michael Spataro, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Getty Images To date, the post has amassed more than 900 comments from TikTok viewers, many of them poking fun at the golden retriever mother's annoyed expression and shallow huffs.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
  • The chute opens, and rambunctious No. 2 bursts out with an impatient huff.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Peeve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peeve. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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