PEEVE Synonyms: 182 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

peeve 1 of 2

noun

Definition of peeve

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

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

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

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

Wittingham had a few peeves to get off his chest and did so at a symposium this past April at Stanford. — Glenn Zorpette, IEEE Spectrum, 31 Dec. 2023 My biggest pet-peeve is when the comforter escapes from the duvet cover enclosures and ends up as a wadded mess that distorts the entire bedding set up. — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2026

Verb

Amidst the general on-sale Friday, peeved fans posted screenshots showing tickets already on resale, marked up by hundreds of dollars within hours of the on-sale. — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 21 Nov. 2025 As the round progressed, DeChambeau’s body language went from purposeful to puzzled to downright peeved, which is something of a typical descent for DeChambeau. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for peeve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for peeve

Noun

Intense exercise on a sizzling day can lead to extreme fatigue, impaired performance, headache, irritability, nausea, dizziness, cramping and dehydration, all symptoms of exertional heat illness.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome causes fatigue, fever, muscle aches, abdominal problems, headaches, chills and dizziness in the early stages, and late symptoms include chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath and lungs filling with fluid.

— Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of headache

Verb

Paraguay’s tactics, seeking to frustrate and disrupt France, had annoyed Henry as well as the current team and coach.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Others are annoyed that its ambiguous language will create confusion over how — or if — the state will enforce compliance.

— Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2026

Definition of annoy

Noun

And to add insult to social and cultural injury, the new policies also present a logistical nuisance.

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
In New York, night clubs were sometimes regarded as a civic nuisance; one obstacle was the city’s cabaret law, from 1926, which required bars to obtain a special permit if patrons were dancing and was not fully repealed until 2017.

— Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Definition of nuisance

Noun

Yamal was a thorn in Saudi Arabia’s side, drifting infield to unleash shots from distance but also peppering the penalty area with wicked deliveries from the right flank.

— Mark Carey, New York Times, 2 July 2026
An individual bush can grow up to 15 feet high and 40 feet long, with thick stems, also known as canes, marked by sharp, hooked thorns.

— The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 25 June 2026

Definition of thorn

Noun

This would let traffic flow, which is so necessary for the vitality and economy of Chicago; provide a safer route for bikers; and ease the frustration of all of those on the streets of Chicago.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Spence also appears to be absorbing the blame for broader failures, with Thomas Tuchel’s touchline frustrations obvious and — for a player still establishing himself at this level — that scrutiny is unlikely to help.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of frustration

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peers (at)

peeve

peeved

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“Peeve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peeve. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of peeve

noun

verb

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Synonyms of peeve

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing peeve

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Why Do We Have 'Pet Peeves'?

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on peeve

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perfunctory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

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The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

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12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

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Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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