Nettled

To be nettled is to be mildly annoyed, irritated, or exasperated by something. It signifies a feeling of slight disturbance or agitation, often stemming from a minor inconvenience, a perceived slight, or a frustrating situation. It's a step above mild annoyance but usually not a state of extreme anger or rage. Being nettled suggests a loss of composure, though often temporary, and a desire for the situation causing the irritation to cease. The feeling can manifest physically, such as through a furrowed brow or a sharp retort, or mentally, through restless thoughts and a heightened sense of sensitivity. The experience can also be a cause for introspection. It is often a reaction to things that are out of place or not according to the expected norm and can lead to a feeling of wanting to make things right. Being nettled is a common human experience.

Nettled meaning with examples

• The slow internet speed nettled her, as she needed to submit her assignment before the deadline. She huffed, tapping her foot impatiently, and considered restarting the router, hoping that would fix the issue and her growing frustration. The delay had already set her behind on her tasks and she couldn't afford any further time wasted.
• He was nettled by the constant interruptions during the meeting, as he struggled to maintain his focus and present his ideas. Each unsolicited comment seemed to chip away at his patience. He was nettled, but remained calm, and tried to regain control of the discussion. This eventually led to a polite request for order.
• The critical comments about his artwork nettled the artist, who had poured his heart and soul into the piece. They did not reflect the true sentiment of his work and it was very irritating to hear the contrary. He tried to ignore them and continued creating, but the negative feedback still echoed in his mind. These nettlesome thoughts took their toll.
• She was nettled when her friend canceled their plans at the last minute, leaving her with nothing to do. She felt as though she had wasted her day in preparation for the meetup. Although she understood things happen, the lack of notice nettled her. It felt disrespectful of her time and she spent the day doing things she would normally avoid.