as in annoyed
subjected to and reacting with irritation
irked drivers were honking and shouting at the cows in the road
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in bothered
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of irked
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026
His comments evidently irked the White House border czar, Tom Homan, who is Catholic.
—Francis X. Rocca, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
Ausar Thompson, Wing, Detroit Pistons More than one call irked Thompson.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
What irked her most was the foregone futility of the day.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
SpaceX’s argument irked some critics, who say the company did nothing to address their concerns.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 26 Mar. 2026
Alfonso’s familial advantage has irked some Wisconsin Republicans who don’t want the newcomer to glide into such an important position.
—Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 18 Mar. 2026
But what irked me the most was the shockingly sweet tomato sauce.
—Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
King in recent weeks had appeared irked by scrutiny being paid to CBS News, which has generated more attention since Weiss, an opinion journalist with little experience managing a mainstream media operation, joined last year.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
So what does a $77 rotisserie chicken say about the increasing wealth gap, the disparity between the leisure and working classes, and the overall affordability crisis that certainly irked those who balked at the price?
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026
His comments evidently irked the White House border czar, Tom Homan, who is Catholic.
—Francis X. Rocca, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
Ausar Thompson, Wing, Detroit Pistons More than one call irked Thompson.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
What irked her most was the foregone futility of the day.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
SpaceX’s argument irked some critics, who say the company did nothing to address their concerns.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 26 Mar. 2026
Alfonso’s familial advantage has irked some Wisconsin Republicans who don’t want the newcomer to glide into such an important position.
—Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 18 Mar. 2026
But what irked me the most was the shockingly sweet tomato sauce.
—Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
King in recent weeks had appeared irked by scrutiny being paid to CBS News, which has generated more attention since Weiss, an opinion journalist with little experience managing a mainstream media operation, joined last year.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irked
Adjective
-
One of Kate’s regular design clients, Molly is quick to judge and has little patience or filter when annoyed.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
-
Sean Kuraly and Andrew Peeke were already annoyed.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Who never bothered to delete the erroneous post.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
With Minnesota viewing them as soft, the Nuggets hardly seem bothered by the criticism.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Like shea butter, aloe has soothing properties that may help calm flaky, dry or irritated scalps.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
Miranda is a riff on Vogue’s former editor in chief Anna Wintour, who used to be irritated by her caricature but eventually came around.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Upon arriving at big-league camp this spring, Rojas said the different grip initially bugged him.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Three people told the Washington Examiner that Scott had become paranoid that Lewandowski was spying on him through his work phone and had bugged his office.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Last month, despite Orbán’s formidable, long-standing attempts to rig the legal and electoral systems in his favor, Magyar won, in a stunning upset.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
Gunther was upset that Rhodes was taking his screen time.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Walker, however, agreed with the majority that the president cannot deport migrants to countries where they will be persecuted or strip them of mandatory procedures that protect against their removal.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Walker, however, agreed with the majority that the president cannot deport migrants to countries where they will be persecuted or strip them of mandatory procedures that protect against their removal.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
When asked why the department can’t lease squad cars or repurpose existing vehicles, an LAPD official admitted that those options hadn’t been explored — which drew an exasperated response from Councilmember Tim McOsker.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
At one point Blunt's character yells in exasperated, rapid-fire Italian at a protesting Versace when they're interrupted by Hathaway.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
The issue prompted an angry Trump to directly press Makary over the vapes decisions, two people familiar with the episode said.—
Sarah Owermohle,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
-
Are some people angry that a children’s book author would cuss in an adult novel?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irked. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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