Nuisance — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈnü-sᵊn(t)s/ nui·sance

Meaning & Definition of Nuisance

Nuisance (noun)

  1. harm, injury
  2. one that is annoying, unpleasant, or obnoxious, pest

Nuisance (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. one who is obnoxiously annoying

    "the new neighbor is threatening to become a nuisance, dropping in on us several times a day"

    similar: annoyance, annoyer, bother, gadfly, gnawer, nudnik, pain, persecutor, pest, tease, teaser, pain in the neck
    related: headache, harrier, heckler, interrupter, hassle, plague, harasser, molester, tormentor, torturer
    near: charmer, smoothy, comforter, solacer, soother

  2. something that is a source of irritation

    "folding up this map correctly is such a nuisance"

    similar: aggravation, aggro (British), annoyance, bother, botheration, bugbear, exasperation, frustration, hair shirt, hassle, headache, inconvenience, irk, irritant, peeve, pest, rub, ruffle, thorn, trial, vexation
    related: discomfort, fleabite, pinprick, affront, insult, offense, upset, worry, affliction, albatross, burden, cross, curse, menace, millstone, plague, sore, anxiety, plight, predicament, tribulation, trouble, hang-up, pet peeve, problem, annoyer, disturber, harasser, mischief, offender, pandora's box
    near: delight, joy, pleasure

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Nuisance

The most common words with a similar meaning to Nuisance:

British: aggro
annoyance, annoyer, bother, gadfly, gnawer, nudnik, pain, persecutor, pest, tease, teaser, aggravation, botheration, bugbear, exasperation, frustration, hair shirt, hassle, headache, inconvenience, irk, irritant, peeve, rub, ruffle, thorn, trial, vexation, pain in the neck

Related Words for Nuisance

harrier, heckler, interrupter, plague, harasser, molester, tormentor, torturer, discomfort, fleabite, pinprick, affront, insult, offense, upset, worry, affliction, albatross, burden, cross, curse, menace, millstone, sore, anxiety, plight, predicament, tribulation, trouble, hang-up

Near Antonyms of Nuisance

charmer, smoothy, comforter, solacer, soother, delight, joy, pleasure

Origin & Etymology of Nuisance

Middle English nusaunce, noisaunce "harm, damage, (in law) cause of annoyance or inconvenience," borrowed from Anglo-French nusance, noisance, from nuis-, nois-, nus-, stem of nuire, nure, noisir, nuser "to injure, damage, vex" (going back to Latin nocēre "to injure, harm") + -ance -ance noxious

First known use: 15th century

Words & Phrases Containing Nuisance

nuisance tax, make a nuisance of oneself

Frequently Asked Questions about Nuisance

What does "Nuisance" mean?

"Nuisance" means harm, injury. As a noun, it is defined as: harm, injury. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Nuisance"?

Other words for "Nuisance" include annoyance, annoyer, bother, gadfly, gnawer, nudnik, pain and persecutor. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Nuisance" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Nuisance"?

There are 66 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Nuisance". Common alternatives include annoyance, annoyer, bother, gadfly, gnawer, nudnik, pain, persecutor, pest and tease.

How do you use "Nuisance" in a sentence?

Examples of "Nuisance" in a sentence: "the new neighbor is threatening to become a nuisance, dropping in on us several times a day"; "folding up this map correctly is such a nuisance".

Is "Nuisance" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Nuisance" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Nuisance"?

"Nuisance" is pronounced /ˈnü-sᵊn(t)s/ and divided into syllables as nui·sance.

What is the origin of the word "Nuisance"?

"Nuisance" comes from Middle English nusaunce, noisaunce "harm, damage, (in law) cause of annoyance or inconvenience," borrowed from Anglo-French nusance, noisance, from nuis-, nois-, nus-, stem of nuire, nure, noisir, nuser "to injure, damage, vex" (going back to Latin nocēre "to injure, harm") + -ance -ance noxious. First known use: 15th century.

What is another word for "Nuisance" meaning "one who is obnoxiously annoying"?

When "Nuisance" (noun) means one who is obnoxiously annoying, synonyms include annoyance, annoyer, bother, gadfly, gnawer and nudnik.