as in problem
US
something that annoys or bothers a person very much
One of my biggest pet peeves is people driving too slowly on the highway.
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Recent Examples of pet peeve
One of Easter’s pet peeves is when people lick their fingers or play with their hair at the dinner table.
—
Angela Haupt, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Design Disproportions One of designer Jodi Peterman's porch pet peeves has to do with the relationship between design aspects.
—Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025
Photo: © The Didion Dunne Literary Trust Possibly the funniest document in the archive: a school essay about pet peeves Didion wrote shortly before her 16th birthday, one in which her arch tone is already on full display.
—Christopher Bonanos, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025
Thank-Yous Are Important User Halo shared a pet peeve that some may not think about—the thank-you after the wedding.
—Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pet peeve
Angela Haupt, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Design Disproportions One of designer Jodi Peterman's porch pet peeves has to do with the relationship between design aspects.
—Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025
Photo: © The Didion Dunne Literary Trust Possibly the funniest document in the archive: a school essay about pet peeves Didion wrote shortly before her 16th birthday, one in which her arch tone is already on full display.
—Christopher Bonanos, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025
Thank-Yous Are Important User Halo shared a pet peeve that some may not think about—the thank-you after the wedding.
—Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pet peeve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pet peeve
Noun
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The problem, blamed on outdated wastewater infrastructure, has persisted for decades but has spiraled in recent years as Tijuana's population skyrocketed.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
5 June 2025
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Read more: Fishing Communities in the Philippines Are Fighting for their Future as Waters Rise The bigger problem is that human society—policymakers, companies, and financial institutions—simply hasn’t figured out how to value all that oceans do for us.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Because of the outsize anticipation, initial reports of delays and extensive rewrites on Season 2 created worries that the series’ intricate narrative puzzle might implode.—
Tim Grierson,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
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There happens to be one available that would help ease any worry about Bosa's injury issues throughout the year.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pet peeve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pet%20peeve. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.
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