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

That was the question that annoyed Steinbrenner, who is backing a system that would strip his team of a financial advantage while falling in line with other billionaire ballclub owners, who tend to vote as a unified bloc. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

The innkeeper is annoyed that his wife wants more conversation. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

That unexpected fandom has grown over the past two years, with unlikely converts taking to the internet’s alleyways to spread the good word—and, in the process, annoying the doubters. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

Returning the sarcasm tends to cause the same problem, with two people annoyed instead of one. — Angela Haupt, Time, 14 Oct. 2026