irksome

adjective

irk·​some ˈərk-səm How to pronounce irksome (audio)
: tending to irk : tedious
an irksome task
irksomely adverb
irksomeness noun

Examples of irksome in a Sentence

the irksome task of cleaning up the irksome habit of leaving all the kitchen cabinet doors open
Recent Examples on the Web But the new position of some of the tents appears more irksome to the Israeli military. Loveday Morris, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2024 Perhaps the most irksome change Diablo 3 introduced to the series was the shift to a lighter, friendlier aesthetic. Aaron Zimmerman, Ars Technica, 30 May 2023 The irksome side effect is that many search results now look the same. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 18 Jan. 2024 Just be conscientious throughout late November to December, as an irksome Mercury retrograde could throw a wrench in holiday travel plans. Nina Kahn, Travel + Leisure, 2 Jan. 2024 Even interior designers find long, squashed rooms irksome. Antonia Van Der Meer, WSJ, 3 Jan. 2024 Abusing the privilege, however, is irksome and can be exploitative, if the samples become the equivalent of a full glass. Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2023 As the son of a nonviolent activist against British colonial rule, and as a Muslim married to a Hindu, Khan has been a popular symbol of pluralism that the Hindu right has long found irksome. Vaibhav Vats, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2023 Another way to get through this testy time: Come up with a game plan that’ll make your hangs less irksome, Dr. Smalls-Mantey recommends. Julia Ries, SELF, 20 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'irksome.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irksome was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near irksome

Cite this Entry

“Irksome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irksome. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

irksome

adjective
irk·​some ˈərk-səm How to pronounce irksome (audio)
: annoying because of length or dullness
an irksome task
irksomely adverb
irksomeness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on irksome

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