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irk

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb irk differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of irk are annoy, bother, and vex. While all these words mean "to upset a person's composure," irk stresses difficulty in enduring and the resulting weariness or impatience of spirit.

careless waste irks the boss

In what contexts can annoy take the place of irk?

While the synonyms annoy and irk are close in meaning, annoy implies a wearing on the nerves by persistent petty unpleasantness.

their constant complaining annoys us

Where would bother be a reasonable alternative to irk?

The meanings of bother and irk largely overlap; however, bother suggests interference with comfort or peace of mind.

don't bother me while I'm reading

When can vex be used instead of irk?

The synonyms vex and irk are sometimes interchangeable, but vex implies greater provocation and stronger disturbance and usually connotes anger but sometimes perplexity or anxiety.

vexed by her son's failure to clean his room

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 irk
Verb
Amazon Prime Video has also been increasing the ad load on its service, irking consumers. Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 19 June 2025 Any disruption would also irk Iran’s number crude oil customer - China. Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
Noun
The violence gets worse from there, and somehow all that is supposed to fit into a show about a Washington socialite whose biggest irk in the premiere is her rivalry with the first lady. Washington Post, 22 Apr. 2022 The Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson varieties seem to sit somewhere in the middle of the spectrum of immunological irk. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 1 Dec. 2021 See All Example Sentences for irk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irk
Verb
  • Francie instantly annoys Nat by kissing Pete hello, and the two women start yelling at each other immediately.
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 27 June 2025
  • If visible bulbs and cables annoy you, these aren’t for you.
    Simon Hill, Wired News, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • Some headaches are related to muscle tension and can be triggered by stress.9 Hot showers or baths promote relaxation.
    Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 9 July 2025
  • These can seem like a real headache for a sole trader who does not have an HR department to take care of all this for them.
    Peter Boolkah, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Jake Paul’s everyday unscented face wash avoids irritating fragrances but is infused with vitamin B3 to help keep your skin hydrated.
    Christopher Murray may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 30 June 2025
  • Work exposures: If you are frequently exposed to irritating chemicals or substances, your risk of dermatitis is higher.
    Carrie Madormo, Health, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Neighbors call in concerned about true nuisances that could affect the enjoyment of their private property.
    Andrew Wimer, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Angry residents would sabotage the robotaxis with the help of traffic cones, while the city’s fire department chief herself would regularly malign them as a dangerous nuisance.
    Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • If Waldron wasn’t battered, then Phillies starter Zack Wheeler was hardly bothered.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025
  • While notification bundles were an option before, they were primarily used for messaging, and not all developers bothered.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • James Tolkan plays Gerald Strickland, who worked at Hill Valley High School and, in both 1955 and 1985, was a thorn in the side of the McFlys.
    Jonathon Dornbush, EW.com, 3 July 2025
  • Many people had thoughts about what was said, especially the constant thorn in Puff’s side, 50 Cent.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 30 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
Noun
  • More than six months into his presidency, Trump has shown increasing frustration with Putin as a ceasefire deal to end the conflict remains out of reach.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 10 July 2025
  • Clark voiced her frustration that one of her teammates wasn’t spending enough time in the gym.
    Elise Devlin, New York Times, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Irk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irk. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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