adjective
1. causing irritation or annoyance (Freq. 1)
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tapping an annoying rhythm on his glass with his fork
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aircraft noise is particularly bothersome near the airport
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found it galling to have to ask permission
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an irritating delay
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nettlesome paperwork
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a pesky mosquito
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swarms of pestering gnats
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a plaguey newfangled safety catch
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a teasing and persistent thought annoyed him
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a vexatious child
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it is vexing to have to admit you are wrong
• Syn:
↑annoying, ↑bothersome, ↑galling, ↑irritating, ↑pesky, ↑pestering, ↑pestiferous, ↑plaguy, ↑plaguey, ↑teasing, ↑vexatious, ↑vexing
• Similar to: ↑disagreeable
2. easily irritated or annoyed
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an incorrigibly fractious young man
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not the least nettlesome of his countrymen
• Syn:
↑cranky, ↑fractious, ↑irritable, ↑peevish, ↑peckish, ↑pettish, ↑petulant, ↑scratchy, ↑testy, ↑tetchy, ↑techy
• Similar to: ↑ill-natured
• Derivationally related forms:
↑tetchiness (for: ↑tetchy), ↑testiness (for: ↑testy), ↑petulance (for: ↑petulant), ↑pettishness (for: ↑pettish), ↑peevishness (for: ↑peevish), ↑irritability (for: ↑irritable), ↑fractiousness (for: ↑fractious), ↑crank (for: ↑cranky), ↑crankiness (for: ↑cranky)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.