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

United’s co-owner being on site led to a sweep of the open-plan offices to ensure no untidiness, especially that desks were clear of empty cups, believed to be a particular Ratcliffe peeve. — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 14 Aug. 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

The guests are peeved that Tyler would have snuck a makeup artist onboard, since everyone was supposed to do their own makeup. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026 Warren is particularly peeved with all that polite nibbling. — Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 13 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for peeve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for peeve

Noun

Those headaches create headwinds, but the underlying story provides support.

— Michael Khouw, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Residents have reported symptoms including burning in the eyes, lungs and sinuses, bad headaches and nausea.

— Lana Zak, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of headache

Verb

On Monday, a court granted the US government’s request to deny release of a former OpenAI engineer accused of bugging a top-secret conference room to steal the frontier lab’s secrets.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
And as the team moved into the couple’s guest house on their San Diego rental property, the filmmakers feared that the home was bugged and ordered a device to try to de-bug it, without success.

— Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of bug

Noun

Their similarities end there with Divya becoming a thorn in Isla’s plans all season.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026
In the initial draft that didn't make it into the final episode, Greg touched on how STAGFLATION was a central thorn in the side of this concept.

— Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of thorn

Noun

Burks said much of the frustration is connected to top leaders who provide insufficient training.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Clinton's lack of a majority and list of frustrations in his first term set the stage for a bruising first midterm election in 1994.

— Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 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'?

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