as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
she irked her friend by chewing her gum loudly during the movie
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation
one of the prof's major irks is a cell phone that rings during a lecture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of irk
Kansas City Star, 18 Dec. 2025
The whole sequence irked coach Craig Berube afterward.
—Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 14 Dec. 2025
Zack Meisel, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for irk
Verb
Yes, he was irked by what apparently were several players planning to enter the transfer portal despite another year remaining on their NIL contract.
—Kansas City Star, 18 Dec. 2025
The whole sequence irked coach Craig Berube afterward.
—Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 14 Dec. 2025
Noun
New reaction: Whoa, which baseball deity did this guy irk?
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for irk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irk
Verb
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She’d been awakened by their puppy, and had been annoyed at Ryan, who hadn’t gotten up early with the dog like he was supposed to.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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Kelce was evaluated for a concussion in the locker room, and he was annoyed at having to answer the questions that are part of the test.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The illness tends to come on abruptly, with symptoms including fever, sore throat, headaches and fatigue.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Take a seat on an icy throne—the cold never bothered you anyway.—
Ginger Crichton,
Midwest Living,
9 Jan. 2026
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Don’t bother wasting your money—using it more than once a day won’t yield ‘better’ or faster results.—
Ali Pantony,
Glamour,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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An Orange County judge granted the city of Santa Ana’s request for a preliminary injunction against several businesses on East First Street accused of being public nuisances.—
Mona Darwish,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
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According to the American Mosquito Control Association, mosquitoes are not only a nuisance but also a public health concern, capable of carrying diseases like West Nile virus.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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These changes to the fabric’s texture can also irritate delicate skin.—
Elizabeth Brownfield,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
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To ensure the materials were safe for biological use, the friction layers was tested on a rabbit’s eye, where the device maintained its charge without irritating.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Yes, in an industry cartwheeling almost daily through new technologies, new owners, new formats and new audience expectations, the nearly-100-year-old measurement company was the sharpest thorn in Ziffren’s paw.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
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Thanks, Edison Long a thorn in Edison’s side, Gary Headrick of San Clemente Green has been urging Edison to release all the inspection photos for months.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That thing’s been bugging on him for a while.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
29 Dec. 2025
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Check the head and base and foot of the bed, peeling back the top sheet to look for evidence on mattress covers, box springs, dust ruffles, and the headboard—and most importantly, the mattress seams and piping because bed bugs like to hide in cracks and crevices.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
25 Dec. 2025
Noun
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British officials downplayed the pause as temporary, insisting momentum would resume amid complex negotiations, but the impasse signals broader frustrations with Europe’s regulatory posture toward American innovation, market access, and economic sovereignty.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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Emotions were on full display with many expressing sadness and frustration, not only over Wednesday's federal raid, but raids happening around the Twin Cities over the last 40 days.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irk. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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