as in annoying
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
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Recent Examples of irking
That political risk seems to be irking the president already.
—
Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irking
Verb
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Sometimes, rage bait can be relatively harmless – a recipe that contains disgusting food combinations or someone annoying their pet, partner or sibling.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
1 Dec. 2025
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But what’s been annoying me even more is that these women should have been trained by producers to start recording on their own cell phones if drama starts to unfold after cameras go down.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Ibrahim keeps bothering me endlessly, touching my leg and thigh.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
4 Jan. 2026
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Ask her if anything is bothering her.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
24 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The play-calling of Payton remains irritating and confusing.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
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Plus, if wind picks up, the leaves can wind up all over the neighborhood, irritating your neighbors.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Nov. 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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Then Julian dropped one of his wireless earbuds into Olympia’s purse, using it as a crude bugging device.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Trump has repeatedly alleged that the South African government is actively persecuting white citizens, particularly farmers.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
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The former human-rights lawyer entered on a tourist visa and filed for political asylum in October of that year, claiming the governments that succeeded Correa were persecuting him.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ahead of the front, temperatures surged into the 80s, breaking daily heat records over the past two days, while breezy conditions spread a haze of cedar pollen across Austin, aggravating seasonal allergies for many residents.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
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Gordon practiced for the first time in over a month on Wednesday after aggravating a groin injury.—
Matt Zahn,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irking. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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