Standard Lemma guide

nettlesome

adj · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈnɛtəlsəm/
  • rhymes with -ɛtəlsəm
  • CMU ARPABET: N EH1 T AH0 L S AH0 M Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Causing irritation, annoyance, or discomfort; bothersome, irksome.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: usually

Qualifier: thing; situation; thing; situation

Examples

  • My old car is very nettlesome.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Thorny; difficult to deal with, especially due to being complex or tricky.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: usually

Qualifier: problem

Examples

  • The task of proving Fermat’s “last” theorem remains nettlesome.
  • Be careful what you say to him; he's a nettlesome fellow.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

causing irritation or annoyance

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • tapping an annoying rhythm on his glass with his fork
  • aircraft noise is particularly bothersome near the airport
  • found it galling to have to ask permission
  • an irritating delay
  • nettlesome paperwork
  • a pesky mosquito
  • swarms of pestering gnats
  • a plaguey newfangled safety catch
  • a teasing and persistent thought annoyed him
  • a vexatious child
  • it is vexing to have to admit you are wrong

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: annoying, bothersome, galling, irritating, pesky, pestering, pestiferous, plaguy, plaguey, teasing, vexatious, vexing

Antonyms: none provided

4

adjective satellite

Meaning 4

easily irritated or annoyed

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

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

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: cranky, fractious, irritable, peevish, peckish, pettish, petulant, scratchy, testy, tetchy, techy

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From nettle + -some.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Italian: urticante — causing irritation
  • Russian: раздражающий (razdražajuščij) — causing irritation