as in annoying
causing annoyance
a few nettlesome details that still required attention
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nettlesome
Were parent companies Disney or Comcast, which have vast entertainment holdings, to enter into major deals requiring approval from federal regulators at the FCC or other agencies, the FCC reviews could prove nettlesome — or costly.
—
David Folkenflik, NPR, 25 Aug. 2025
What if the language in that trust is nettlesome and may disinherit your or your child?
—Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
When the Titanic sunk, Captain Edward John Smith could have blamed the disaster on climate putting that nettlesome ice berg in the ship’s path.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2025
Back had gone on to serve as a kind of surrogate father figure for the bright and nettlesome young man.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for nettlesome
David Folkenflik, NPR, 25 Aug. 2025
What if the language in that trust is nettlesome and may disinherit your or your child?
—Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
When the Titanic sunk, Captain Edward John Smith could have blamed the disaster on climate putting that nettlesome ice berg in the ship’s path.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2025
Back had gone on to serve as a kind of surrogate father figure for the bright and nettlesome young man.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for nettlesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nettlesome
Adjective
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Your husband’s petty desire to be right about everything is understandably annoying and somewhat typical behavior.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
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Dealing with frost on your car may be a nuisance in the winter, but seeds, leaves, and flower petals can be equally as annoying in spring.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Derms say mineral blocks tend to be less irritating for sensitive skin.—
Brigitt Earley,
Glamour,
24 Apr. 2026
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In both Dream Scenario and The Drama, Borgli sides with the maligned, framing those who cast judgment as shrewish and needling (exemplified in The Drama with a deliciously irritating performance from Alana Haim).—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Those are frustrating questions to still have about a fifth-year player, but Sorsby could generate some first-round sizzle with a clean 2026 season.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Few things in gardening can be more frustrating than discovering that your favorite plants have been damaged by animals.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Angels fans who had regained some faith in Yusei Kikuchi after last weekend’s encouraging start could only watch with frustration as all of that was wiped away in one disturbing inning.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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Most disturbing about the Game 3 blowout was not the who, but the how.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nettlesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nettlesome. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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