peeve
1 of 2verb
ˈpēv 
peeved; peeving
transitive verb
: to make peevish or resentful : annoy
peeve
2 of 2noun
1
: a feeling or mood of resentment
2
: a particular grievance or source of aggravation
Synonyms
Verb
- aggravate
- annoy
- bother
- bug
- burn (up)
- chafe
- eat
- exasperate
- frost
- gall
- get
- grate
- gripe
- hack (off)
- irk
- irritate
- itch
- nark [British]
- nettle
- persecute
- pique
- put out
- rasp
- rile
- ruffle
- spite
- vex
Noun
- aggravation
- aggro [British]
- annoyance
- bother
- botheration
- bugbear
- exasperation
- frustration
- hair shirt
- hassle
- headache
- inconvenience
- irk
- irritant
- nuisance
- pest
- rub
- ruffle
- thorn
- trial
- vexation
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb she is constantly peeved by his habit of humming show tunes while she is trying to focus on her work Noun One of her peeves is people who are always late. my main peeve with the animal welfare organization is the endless stream of unsolicited trinkets in my mailbox
Recent Examples on the Web
Kyle Whitmire, al, 30 Apr. 2020 Buttigieg, 38, declared victory early on Monday night based on his campaign's internal figures, peeving his rivals. Emily Larsen, Washington Examiner, 9 Feb. 2020 Trump appeared peeved by the schoolhouse vibe but also allergic to the dynamic of his advisers talking at him. Carol D. Leonnig, Philip Rucker, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Jan. 2020 The union is peeved by the populist governments in the region, and funds will be redirected away from the comparatively booming central Europeans. The Economist, 24 Oct. 2019 Saban, the Alabama football coach, has long been peeved that the student section at Bryant-Denny Stadium empties early. New York Times, 12 Sep. 2019 Meantime, what particularly peeves umps is that TV box. Ben Walker, The Denver Post, 29 Oct. 2019 Kathy Napierala of Silver Spring, Md., was peeved by that Geico commercial where kids are playing Marco Polo in a swimming pool with . . . John Kelly, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2019 Paul Blackburn Blackburn was peeved the last time the A’s sent him down. Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2019 Milan Polk, Men's Health, 10 Feb. 2022 His other decorating peeve is when entire rooms are layered only in shades of gray. Elizabeth Mayhew, Star Tribune, 19 May 2021 His other decorating peeve is when entire rooms are layered only in shades of gray. Elizabeth Mayhew, Star Tribune, 19 May 2021 His other decorating peeve is when entire rooms are layered only in shades of gray. Elizabeth Mayhew, Star Tribune, 19 May 2021 His other decorating peeve is when entire rooms are layered only in shades of gray. Elizabeth Mayhew, Star Tribune, 19 May 2021 His other decorating peeve is when entire rooms are layered only in shades of gray. Elizabeth Mayhew, Star Tribune, 19 May 2021 His other decorating peeve is when entire rooms are layered only in shades of gray. Elizabeth Mayhew, Star Tribune, 19 May 2021 His other decorating peeve is when entire rooms are layered only in shades of gray. Elizabeth Mayhew, Star Tribune, 19 May 2021 See More
Verb
In a press conference, after the Mobile County Health Department shut down bars and dine-in restaurant service, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson was peeved. Kyle Whitmire, al, 30 Apr. 2020 Buttigieg, 38, declared victory early on Monday night based on his campaign's internal figures, peeving his rivals. Emily Larsen, Washington Examiner, 9 Feb. 2020 Trump appeared peeved by the schoolhouse vibe but also allergic to the dynamic of his advisers talking at him. Carol D. Leonnig, Philip Rucker, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Jan. 2020 The union is peeved by the populist governments in the region, and funds will be redirected away from the comparatively booming central Europeans. The Economist, 24 Oct. 2019 Saban, the Alabama football coach, has long been peeved that the student section at Bryant-Denny Stadium empties early. New York Times, 12 Sep. 2019 Meantime, what particularly peeves umps is that TV box. Ben Walker, The Denver Post, 29 Oct. 2019 Kathy Napierala of Silver Spring, Md., was peeved by that Geico commercial where kids are playing Marco Polo in a swimming pool with . . . John Kelly, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2019 Paul Blackburn Blackburn was peeved the last time the A’s sent him down. Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2019 Noun
Natalie says her biggest pet-peeve is when guys name drop. Milan Polk, Men's Health, 10 Feb. 2022 His other decorating peeve is when entire rooms are layered only in shades of gray. Elizabeth Mayhew, Star Tribune, 19 May 2021 His other decorating peeve is when entire rooms are layered only in shades of gray. Elizabeth Mayhew, Star Tribune, 19 May 2021 His other decorating peeve is when entire rooms are layered only in shades of gray. Elizabeth Mayhew, Star Tribune, 19 May 2021 His other decorating peeve is when entire rooms are layered only in shades of gray. Elizabeth Mayhew, Star Tribune, 19 May 2021 His other decorating peeve is when entire rooms are layered only in shades of gray. Elizabeth Mayhew, Star Tribune, 19 May 2021 His other decorating peeve is when entire rooms are layered only in shades of gray. Elizabeth Mayhew, Star Tribune, 19 May 2021 His other decorating peeve is when entire rooms are layered only in shades of gray. Elizabeth Mayhew, Star Tribune, 19 May 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
back-formation from peevish
First Known Use
Verb
1901, in the meaning defined above
Noun
1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing peeve
peeve 1 of 2
noun
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
Relevance
- headache
- nuisance
- thorn
- frustration
- worry
- problem
- annoyance
- bugbear
- irritant
- irk
- inconvenience
- rub
- exasperation
- vexation
- aggravation
- bother
- pest
- insult
- ruffle
- trial
- discomfort
- hassle
- menace
- botheration
- affront
- aggro
- burden
- curse
- trouble
- upset
- anxiety
- predicament
- plague
- hair shirt
- offender
- pinprick
- offence
- plight
- sore
- annoyer
- albatross
- pet peeve
- cross
- hang-up
- tribulation
- millstone
- disturber
- fleabite
- offense
- harasser
- affliction
- mischief
- pandora's box
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- pleasure
- joy
- delight
2
as in huff
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
- huff
- frustration
- anger
- umbrage
- annoyance
- irritation
- miff
- resentment
- exasperation
- offence
- pique
- indignation
- displeasure
- dudgeon
- discomfort
- pet
- upset
- outrage
- indignity
- grief
- offense
- ire
- slight
- insult
- agitation
- affront
- vexation
- aggravation
- angriness
- distress
- perturbation
- dander
- bother
- disturbance
- tantrum
- barb
- slur
- tizzy
- temper
- botheration
- pouts
- slap
- fit
- irateness
- sulk(s)
- brickbat
- put-down
- dig
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- satisfaction
- delight
- pleasure
- gratification
- pacification
- appeasement
- contentment
- happiness
- mollification
peeve
2 of 2verb
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
- annoy
- bug
- bother
- irritate
- persecute
- gripe
- irk
- aggravate
- worry
- exasperate
- get
- infuriate
- spite
- grate
- anger
- vex
- eat
- plague
- pique
- chafe
- itch
- rile
- tease
- insult
- get to
- ruffle
- gall
- rasp
- nark
- wear on
- frost
- rub the wrong way
- nag
- put out
- provoke
- nettle
- upset
- enrage
- burn (up)
- get on one's nerves
- hassle
- offend
- harass
- set one's teeth on edge
- stick in one's craw
- outrage
- get one's goat
- hack (off)
- heckle
- rouse
- harry
- discomfort
- badger
- devil
- affront
- disquiet
- bait
- distress
- antagonize
- agitate
- miff
- inflame
- rankle
- pester
- unsettle
- exercise
- incense
- madden
- fret
- bullyrag
- discompose
- ballyrag
- unhinge
- hagride
- perturb
- roil
- undo
- enflame
- freak (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- delight
- oblige
- please
- placate
- appease
- pacify
- conciliate
- gratify
- satisfy
- mollify
- cheer
- assure
- content
- reassure
- comfort
- propitiate
- soothe
- console
- quiet
- gladden
- solace
Synonym Chooser
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 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
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
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
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
The synonyms rile and peeve are sometimes interchangeable, but rile implies inducing an angry or resentful agitation.
the new work schedules riled the employees