When someone is "pushing buttons," they are typically attempting to provoke or irritate another person. However, there are a variety of synonyms that can be used to describe this behavior. These include "provoking," "pressing," "aggravating," "picking at," and "irking." Other options may include "baiting," "egging on," "teasing," and "antagonizing." Regardless of the specific term used, it is important to recognize when someone is intentionally trying to upset you and make a conscious choice to disengage or address the behavior in a calm and assertive manner.