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

AutoCamp is also a short walk to the main drag, sparing guests the headache of the limited parking around shops and restaurants.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Friday provided a brief but clear reminder of what kind of headache that could be for opposing defensive coordinators.

— Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of headache

Noun

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued at least 20 violation notices to Lineage for public nuisance.

— Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
On Thursday, a judge found Meta had created a public nuisance and ordered it to pay an additional $567 million and implement youth-safety measures.

— Reuters, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of nuisance

Verb

Not too much bugs him, but he sometimes is annoyed by his baby sister and doesn’t trust people who put pineapple on their pizza.

— Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 10 Aug. 2026
The indictment revealed that prosecutors had bugged the Aisenbergs' home for three months after Sabrina's disappearance.

— Curran Rastogi, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of bug

Noun

Their kickers’ health and performance for years have been one of the thorns in the team’s side.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
With hill country roots and dangerous charm, Zak has been raised since birth to carry on the Farley racing dynasty, a thorn in the Whitlock family’s side.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of thorn

Noun

Whenever Biya eventually leaves office, his successor will inherit a country also facing attacks by Boko Haram militants in the north and deep economic frustration among young people.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Rather than treating Debra’s frustrations as something distant from her own life, Heaton drew from the reality of raising her own kids while working on the series.

— Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of frustration

Browse Nearby Words

peers (at)

peeve

peeved

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“Peeve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peeve. Accessed 20 Aug. 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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Articles Related to peeve

Why Do We Have 'Pet Peeves'?

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on peeve

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Word of the Day

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Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

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

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

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Why do we 'bury the lede?'

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes