Synonym Chooser

How does the verb annoy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of annoy are harass, harry, pester, plague, tease, and worry. While all these words mean "to disturb or irritate by persistent acts," annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks.

you're doing that just to annoy me

When could harass be used to replace annoy?

The synonyms harass and annoy are sometimes interchangeable, but harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power.

harassed on all sides by creditors

Where would harry be a reasonable alternative to annoy?

The words harry and annoy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment.

the strikers had been harried by thugs

When might pester be a better fit than annoy?

While in some cases nearly identical to annoy, pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks.

constantly pestered with trivial complaints

In what contexts can plague take the place of annoy?

While the synonyms plague and annoy are close in meaning, plague implies a painful and persistent affliction.

plagued all her life by poverty

When is tease a more appropriate choice than annoy?

Although the words tease and annoy have much in common, tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath.

children teased the dog

When can worry be used instead of annoy?

The meanings of worry and annoy largely overlap; however, worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation.

pursued a policy of worrying the enemy

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of annoy Cahill also spoke about how the political nature of the case annoyed him, as politicians spoke out about Floyd's death, and some called for system-wide change. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 25 May 2025 What if my not-exactly-champion level of play annoys them? Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 22 May 2025 And when large groups are running distractedly in packs around the city, there can be real consequences beyond annoying the solo runners. Melissa Dahl, Curbed, 15 May 2025 But until Tuesday afternoon, four days out, there had been no announcement of what acts would be performing, or even where the show would be held The radio silence annoyed fans, who said so online. Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for annoy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for annoy
Verb
  • Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who Trump initially tapped to co-lead DOGE, pushed for an expansion of the program as way to attract global talent, irritating immigration hawks in the conservative movement.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • Use Insect Repellent to Avoid Bug Bites Stinging, biting, and otherwise irritating bugs are prevalent in summer.
    Sarah Richards, Verywell Health, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • Whatever discomfort the 38-year-old was feeling didn’t appear to bother him thereafter.
    David Close, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
  • In prior birthday events, perhaps a couple arrived early and had a cocktail, but never the rest of the party together, so this hadn’t bothered me before.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • In 1968 a Jewish Dutch woman named Selma Vos was persecuted to death along with her husband, Cao Richang, an eminent psychologist who had helped found the Institute of Psychology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
    Nan Z. Da June 10, Literary Hub, 10 June 2025
  • Abrego Garcia was subject to a 2019 withholding order by a judge forbidding his removal to El Salvador because of concerns he would be persecuted there.
    Dan Mangan, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Say your mother kept bugging you to change a bad habit.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • Next season is when all the little things start to bug me.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The minuscule particles can lead to breathing problems like bronchitis and cause inflammation that aggravates diabetes, heart disease and other health conditions.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
  • The intense confrontation both in the South Korean Parliament and among the public over Yoon's fateful act has aggravated the country's political polarization and shaken South Koreans' confidence in their democracy.
    Se Eun Gong, NPR, 2 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Annoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/annoy. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on annoy

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