annoying

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

Synonyms

• abrasive
• aggravating
• bothersome
• carking
• chafing
• disturbing
• exasperating
• frustrating
• galling
• irksome
• irritating
• maddening
• nettlesome
• nettling
• peeving
• pesky
• pestiferous
• pestilent
• pestilential
• pesty
• plaguey
• plaguy
• rankling
• rebarbative
• riling
• vexatious
• vexing

Examples of annoying in a Sentence

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

But if Hereditary and Midsommar got under the skin with genuinely scary storytelling and startling imagery and Beau is Afraid was equal parts squirmy and maddening, Eddington is just annoying and empty. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025

Really, there’s these human traffic jams, so it’s become quite annoying. —Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2025

This is Palace’s’ Comments R Rob M. · 6h 41m ago Listened to the pod (with the annoying ads but that's been flagged on the pod comments). —The Athletic Fc Podcast, New York Times, 15 May 2025

The narcissistic parent might also guilt trip the child for expressing their feelings, thoughts, or needs—accusing them of being too demanding or overwhelming, annoying, or stressing them out, even when a child clearly needs help or comfort. —​wendy Wisner, Parents, 15 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

see annoy

First Known Use

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