1
[ adjective ] causing irritation or annoyance

Examples

"tapping an annoying rhythm" "a particularly bothersome noise" "found it galling to have to ask permission" "an irritating delay" "nettlesome paperwork" "a pesky mosquito" "swarms of pestering gnats"

Used in print

(The Rev. John A. O'Brien, "Let's Take Birth Control...)

The time has come for citizens of all faiths to unite in an effort to remove this divisive and nettlesome issue from the political and social life of our nation .

Related terms

disagreeable

2
[ adjective ] easily irritated or annoyed

Examples

"an incorrigibly fractious young man" "not the least nettlesome of his countrymen"

Related terms

ill-natured

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