annoying

1 of 2

adjective

an·​noy·​ing ə-ˈnȯi-iŋ 

: causing vexation or irritation : causing annoyance : irritating

an annoying habit

annoying questions

annoyingly

ə-ˈnȯi-iŋ-lē 

adverb

annoying

2 of 2

present participle of annoy

Synonyms of annoying

Adjective

• frustrating
• irritating
• disturbing

Examples of annoying in a Sentence

Adjective

my partner has the annoying habit of eating all the pickles and leaving a jar full of pickle juice in the refrigerator

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Imagine a congressional coalition formed by kicking out the lawmakers, on either side, who are annoying—the Ted Cruzes and the John Fettermans. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026

Indeed, the survey showed that use of the horn is the most common action when drivers consider another driver to be annoying or angering them. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

But residents should take note of whether those exposures are dangerous or simply annoying. — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026

Something can be helpful and harmful, good and bad, annoying and endearing. — Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see annoy

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for annoying

• alloying
• deploying
• destroying
• employing
• enjoying
• cloying
• toying

Kids Definition

annoying

adjective

an·​noy·​ing ə-ˈnȯi-iŋ 

: causing annoyance

an annoying habit

annoyingly adverb