| source : wn | nettlesome adj 1: causing irritation or annoyance; "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" [syn: {annoying}, {bothersome}, {galling}, {irritating}, {pesky}, {pestering}, {pestiferous}, {plaguy}, {plaguey}, {teasing}, {vexatious}, {vexing}] 2: easily irritated or annoyed; "an incorrigibly fractious young man"; "not the least nettlesome of his countrymen" [syn: {cranky}, {fractious}, {irritable}, {peevish}, {peckish}, {pettish}, {petulant}, {testy}, {tetchy}, {techy}]