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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
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 That said, this seems like more of a personal peeve than a professional problem, which is fine. Roxane Gay, New York Times, 9 Dec. 2023
Verb
Prior to publication of the op-ed, Berman had predicted in a conversation with Fortune that his former boss would be peeved by that timing. Samuel Burke, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024 Trump’s comment about Haley’s husband peeved Randhawa, an Army veteran who posted a string of X posts and reshares over the weekend blasting his sister’s opponent. Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2024 See All Example Sentences for peeve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peeve
Noun
  • Avantree Cord Organizer $7 at Amazon Cord clutter is a universal travel headache.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 23 Mar. 2025
  • While blazes like this one can be a major headache for people, fire is also a critical part of South Florida’s ecosystem — particularly the Everglades.
    Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • With Connecticut facing the possibility of exceeding the cap by $61 million, Lamont is reining in spending, annoying some liberal Democrats who note that the state is simultaneously looking at a budget surplus.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Also keeping with that theme are tons of Marvel references to the point that Mara (who starred in 2015’s Fantastic Four) was likely getting annoyed.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • While some travelers may view passing through the security line as a nuisance, TSA plays a critical role in the safety of traveling throughout the U.S. – and their work expands far beyond airports.
    Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Along with claims of trespass and nuisance, Energy Transfer alleges that Greenpeace defamed the company to its financial backers.
    Jennifer Safstrom, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The chute opens, and rambunctious No. 2 bursts out with an impatient huff.
    Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Volunteers were charged around 25 cents per huff, bringing in good profit for those who’d invested in the necessary gas tanks, tubes, and breathing bags.
    Oshan Jarow, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Verb
  • Ferrell bugs his eyes out and sighs a series of increasingly desperate spit-takes, but this project was probably doomed from the get-go.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
  • The movie's famous final scene sees Hackman's character playing the saxophone after his paranoia has led him to destroy his entire apartment to see if it was bugged.
    Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • In the past two seasons, the Nuggets have been a thorn in the Lakers' side, being eliminated by Denver in the playoffs.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Property taxes are a thorn in the side of homeowners.
    Maddie McGay, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The Cost of Negative Emotions in Financial Decision-Making On the flip side, negative emotions, such as anxiety, anger, and sadness, were shown in our study to be associated with a shorter financial time horizon.
    Shane Enete, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Yet while their new ground has undoubtedly boosted their revenues and broadened their appeal to a wider demographic of fans, there has been anger from matchgoing supporters over rising ticket prices, with several protests staged last season.
    Tom Burrows, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The First Amendment’s free speech protection is under siege by the Trump administration and that should bother every American, including Republicans.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025
  • By the end of the day, my T-zone had turned a little bit oily, but honestly, not enough to bother me.
    Denise Primbet, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Peeve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peeve. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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