Synonyms of annoy

annoy

verb

ə-ˈnȯi 

as in to irritate

to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts

deliberately annoyed the elderly neighbor by walking across his lawn

Synonyms & Similar Words

• irritate
• bother
• persecute
• bug
• aggravate
• infuriate
• exasperate
• irk
• get
• rile
• vex
• spite
• eat
• worry
• anger
• burn (up)
• get to
• grate
• tease
• itch
• provoke
• pique
• ruffle
• chafe
• gripe
• wear on
• frost
• plague
• put out
• insult
• hack (off)
• nark
• harass
• peeve
• gall
• offend
• enrage
• rub the wrong way
• upset
• rasp
• nettle
• nag
• get on one's nerves
• stick in one's craw
• get one's goat
• set one's teeth on edge
• heckle
• rouse
• antagonize
• pester
• hassle
• inflame
• unsettle
• enflame
• agitate
• badger
• devil
• rankle
• outrage
• distress
• perturb
• discomfort
• harry
• bait
• affront
• roil
• disquiet
• discompose
• unhinge
• exercise
• undo
• bullyrag
• madden
• ballyrag
• incense
• fret
• freak (out)
• hagride
• miff

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appease
• placate
• pacify
• oblige
• please
• conciliate
• satisfy
• delight
• gratify
• mollify
• assure
• propitiate
• reassure
• cheer
• soothe
• comfort
• content
• quiet
• gladden
• console
• solace

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

Recent Examples of annoy

Those annoying little flying insects had a breakout postseason in 2007, taking the national stage during Cleveland’s playoff series with the New York Yankees. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 28 May 2025

If your idea of patience looks like being endlessly agreeable, never getting annoyed, and staying calm through any inconvenience…. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 17 June 2025

We get used to it quickly, and will be annoyed when it is replaced. —Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

One of them, Link (Chris Carmack), scolds his partner Jo (Camilla Luddington) for getting annoyed, since the protesters are fighting for a worthy cause. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025