as in to bug
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
don't nettle your brother while he's trying to do his homework
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nettle
The narrators of these stories are crotchety, easily nettled by the behaviors of other passengers.
—
Jasmine Liu, The New Republic, 24 Oct. 2023
This year, Schaefer, who is chairman of the Texas Freedom Caucus, which has nettled GOP speakers in the past, is author of HB 20.
—Dallas News, 13 Mar. 2023
In the years that followed, Bobby Sproul, who died in 2002 at 86, would continue to have the kind of success that apparently had nettled Link Williams.
—oregonlive, 15 Feb. 2023
Gorky’s privileged presence began to nettle Stalin.
—Algis Valiunas, National Review, 31 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for nettle
Jasmine Liu, The New Republic, 24 Oct. 2023
This year, Schaefer, who is chairman of the Texas Freedom Caucus, which has nettled GOP speakers in the past, is author of HB 20.
—Dallas News, 13 Mar. 2023
In the years that followed, Bobby Sproul, who died in 2002 at 86, would continue to have the kind of success that apparently had nettled Link Williams.
—oregonlive, 15 Feb. 2023
Gorky’s privileged presence began to nettle Stalin.
—Algis Valiunas, National Review, 31 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for nettle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nettle
Verb
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Power gains are bugged to be too low for a new power grind that no one wants to do anyway.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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On average, the matador bugs increased their waving behavior seven times more in the presence of the predatory mantids.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This takes two seconds, and she doesn’t get bothered at all.—
Chaunie Brusie,
Parents,
18 Sep. 2025
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Polarity numbs himself with alcohol and can’t be bothered with God U’s suspicious new Dean, aptly named Cipher (Hamish Linklater).—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Don't push sales and annoy people.—
Nitin Gupta,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Comments about my fast walk annoy me.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Generally, mineral sunscreens are beloved by dermatologists for not irritating sensitive skin, the way chemical sunscreens can.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Too many or poorly timed nudges irritate users.—
Prithvi Singh Shergill,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The former human-rights lawyer entered on a tourist visa and filed for political asylum in October of that year, claiming the governments that succeeded Correa were persecuting him.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
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The decree eliminated many of the civil liberties in Germany, opening the way for the Nazis to persecute their opponents.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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No doubt Nelson was in trouble, but referee Robert Boyle called an end to the fight as Nelson ate some hard combinations.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Making some art, eating some really good food, and then ending with a sunset at Blacks Beach.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The company argues that the traffic which sites do manage to get from users now comes from users who are more engaged and thus more valuable.—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Ahead of the premiere of her new Netflix series, Too Much, written for her by Lena Dunham, the 33-year-old reflects on what got her to this moment.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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With that in mind, Jackson Roberts of Fastball On SI predicted that the Blue Jays would be the landing spot for Houston Astros star Framber Valdez, who ruffled some feathers recently with a controversial move on the mound.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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The entry of electric vehicles, however, could shake things up — disrupt the industry and ruffle the pecking order.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nettle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nettle. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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