get at

/gɛɾ æt/

/gɛt æt/

Other forms: got at; getting at; gets at; gotten at

Definitions of get at
  1. verb
    reach or gain access to
    synonyms: access
    see moresee less
    type of:
    arrive at, attain, gain, hit, make, reach
    reach a destination, either real or abstract
  2. verb
    influence by corruption
    see moresee less
    type of:
    act upon, influence, work
    have and exert influence or effect
  3. verb
    cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
    synonyms: annoy, bother, chafe, devil, get to, gravel, irritate, nark, nettle, rag, rile, vex
    chafe
    feel extreme irritation or anger
    see moresee less
    types:
    show 10 types...
    hide 10 types...
    get, get under one's skin
    irritate
    eat into, fester, fret, gnaw, grate, rankle
    gnaw into; make resentful or angry
    peeve
    cause to be annoyed, irritated, or resentful
    ruffle
    trouble or vex
    fret
    cause annoyance in
    beset, chevvy, chevy, chivvy, chivy, harass, harry, hassle, molest, plague, provoke
    annoy continually or chronically
    antagonise, antagonize
    provoke the hostility of
    goad, needle
    goad or provoke, as by constant criticism
    bedevil, crucify, dun, frustrate, rag, torment
    treat cruelly
    haze
    harass by imposing humiliating or painful tasks, as in military institutions
    type of:
    displease
    give displeasure to
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘get at'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family
EDITOR'S CHOICE

Look up get at for the last time

Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the words you need to know.

Start your vocabulary training
VocabTrainer - Vocabulary.com's Vocabulary Trainer