Entry Word: annoyance

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 the act of making unwelcome intrusions upon another <they have an unlisted number in the hopes that it will reduce the constant annoyance by telephone salespeople>

Synonyms aggravation, bedevilment, bothering, bugging, disturbance, harassment, harrying, pestering, teasing, vexation

Related Words molestation, offense (or offence), persecution, provocation, torment, torture

2 the feeling of impatience or anger caused by anotherʼs repeated disagreeable acts <Carlene made known her annoyance at having to pick up her sisterʼs dirty clothes>

Synonyms aggravation, bother, exasperation, frustration, irritation, vexation

Related Words agitation, anger, angriness, discomfort, displeasure, distress, disturbance, indignation, irateness, ire, outrage, perturbation, resentment; dander, dudgeon, huff, peeve, pet, pique, umbrage, upset

Near Antonyms delight, pleasure

3 something that is a source of irritation <flashing ads, visual clutter, and other annoyances that are the price for free information on the Internet>

Synonyms aggravation, bother, exasperation, frustration, hassle, headache, inconvenience, irritant, nuisance, peeve, pest, problem, thorn

Related Words affront, insult, offense; upset, worry; affliction, cross, curse, menace, plague; plight, predicament, trial, tribulation; annoyer, disturber, offender

Near Antonyms delight, joy, pleasure

4 one who is obnoxiously annoying <younger brothers can be an annoyance sometimes> — see nuisance 1