Dictionary.com
definitions

nettlesome

[ net-l-suh m ]
/ ˈnɛt l səm /
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR nettlesome ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

causing irritation, vexation, or annoyance: to cope with a nettlesome situation.
easily provoked or annoyed: to become nettlesome over trivial matters.

RELATED WORDS

distressing, troublesome, nagging, annoying, irksome, vexing, bothersome, burdensome, disturbing, trying, vexatious, aggravating, exasperating

Nearby words

  1. nettle cell,
  2. nettle family,
  3. nettle rash,
  4. nettled,
  5. nettlefish,
  6. netty,
  7. neturei karta,
  8. network,
  9. network analysis,
  10. network computer

Origin of nettlesome

First recorded in 1760–70; nettle + -some1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for nettlesome

nettlesome

/ (ˈnɛtəlsəm) /

adjective

causing or susceptible to irritation
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for nettlesome

nettlesome

adj.

1766, from nettle (n.) + -some (1).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper