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

Increasing one’s protein intake requires an annoying amount of foresight, a willingness to experience short-term displeasure, or both. —Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025

This eye-rolling, annual chore is annoying, obviously, but also tied to the functioning of government. — Made By History, Time, 15 Apr. 2025

The novel is more than 1,000 pages long, funny and brilliant; despite its annoying fanboys, the book’s reputation gets ever brighter. —Carolyn Kellogg, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025

However, when one of these updates installs a mysterious new folder, without proper explanation, and sets off a whole new social media privacy conspiracy, the annoying side comes to the fore. —Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 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