mindmap root((惹怒)) irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from impatience to rage: her constant nagging ~d him to no end. exasperate suggests galling annoyance or vexation and the arousing of extreme impatience: his ~ing habit of putting off every decision. （galling使人恼怒(因为不公平)，如it was especially galling to be criticised by this scoundrel被这个无赖指责让人尤其气愤 ） （annoy使厌烦，生气: a wearing on the nerves by persistent and petty unpleasantness不停用琐碎讨厌的东西消磨人的神经 ，如his constant complaining annoys us他不停抱怨让人厌烦 nettle suggests a light and sharp but transitory stinging or piquing: your high-handed attitude ~d several people. （pique温和刺激挑战to stimulate by mild irritation or challenge，如that remark piqued my interest那句话激起我的兴趣） provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance or vexation that may excite to action: remarks that were made solely to ~ him. aggravate implies persistent, often petty, goading that leads to displeasure, impatience, or anger: the ~ing drone of self-important politicians. rile implies the inducing of an angry or resentful agitation: the new rules ~d the employees. peeve suggests the arousing of fretful, often petty, or querulous irritation: she is easily ~d after a sleepless night.