peeve 1 of 2

noun

Definition of peevenext
1
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation my main peeve with the animal welfare organization is the endless stream of unsolicited trinkets in my mailbox

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in resentment
the feeling of being offended or resentful after a slight or indignity he holds on to a peeve until the offending person apologizes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

peeve

2 of 2

verb

ˈpēv How to pronounce peeve (audio)
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts she is constantly peeved by his habit of humming show tunes while she is trying to focus on her work

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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
Among his litany of peeves is that, because arXiv has seen a surge in submissions in recent times, especially in the AI category, the number of low-quality papers has followed a similar curve—and arXiv has nowhere near enough volunteers to vet them all. —Sheon Han, Wired News, 27 Mar. 2025 The recent columns about viewers’ TV peeves have generated a lot of mail, including this letter. —Rich Heldenfels, Boston Herald, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
But whenever Will is peeving about something or getting in the way of the kids' fun, things just seem a little less gleeful. —Marc Snetiker, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Oct. 2025 With his far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, sitting in the front row, Netanyahu took the stage, looking a little peeved, and berated the event’s organizers for muddling his slide show. —Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for peeve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peeve
  1. headache
  2. resentment
  3. annoy
  4. nuisance
  5. offense
  6. bug
  7. thorn
  8. huff
Noun
  • However, the ink was barely dry when new revelations emerged last week that pose a fresh headache for Cannon.
    — Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Authorities said Koc and Alshmari attacked the victim, causing a split lip and headaches.
    — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of headache
Noun
  • While frustration in both parties between the House and Senate is endemic to the institution of Congress, resentment within the GOP felt almost palpable on March 27.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Yet maybe, as the cartoonish machismo of Trumpism proves its hollowness, America’s latent resentment can be channeled to better ends.
    — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of resentment
Verb
  • The platform’s staff has seemed minorly annoyed at the shots Denk and others at Beehiiv have taken as Substack has moved from disruptor to incumbent.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 30 Mar. 2026
  • One who grew up respectful but annoyed by the success the league previously had in Seattle.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of annoy
Noun
  • The pests have been a nuisance in the foothills for years.
    — Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Some customers found Buc-ees pay-at-the-pump policy to be a minor nuisance.
    — Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of nuisance
Noun
  • Garcia hopes to be in the lineup and help the offense turn things around at Truist Park.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Cushing hopes the boost in scoring potential from the two deals last week can take pressure off the defense, considering the offense only mustered three shots on goal through the first two matches before showing more cohesion in the win over Gotham FC.
    — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of offense
Verb
  • Chandler Zavala has been fighting the injury bug his whole career.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The cost of it, however, is boots and bug repellent.
    — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of bug
Noun
  • Odor is a botanical defense mechanism as much as thistles and thorns.
    — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
  • The spirit of the endeavor can forgive a lot, with some clumsy filmmaking that doesn’t seem to be an intentional homage, such as a slapdash set-up to Helen’s murderous ways and a slightly tacked-on feeling opening involving a film critic who has been a thorn in Jack’s side.
    — Stephen Saito, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of thorn
Noun
  • Among agonized grunts and huffs, Probst narrated the fumbles.
    — Sarah Grant, New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2026
  • David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.
    — Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Definition of huff

Phrases Containing peeve

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peers (at)
peeve
peeved
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Cite this Entry

“Peeve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peeve. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of peeve for Spanish Speakers

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