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
But irking jealous opposing coaches with a little tampering is one thing.
—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
And analysts say that countries, including smaller developing markets, may be more wary of irking China, even to protect the growth of their own manufacturing sectors – especially when contending with a US trade war.
—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
15 Jan. 2026
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
And analysts say that countries, including smaller developing markets, may be more wary of irking China, even to protect the growth of their own manufacturing sectors – especially when contending with a US trade war.
—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irking
Verb
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Weird; annoying even – but the floaters did not seem urgent.
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My biggest concern about adding a tracking device around Mya’s neck was annoying her or creating disruption.
Verb
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That shift may help explain why some couples notice their partner’s scent bothering them more during periods of conflict.
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The chest pain that had been bothering her finally let up.
Verb
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But for those who just want to grab a bite or see a movie at the IMAX theater, the security protocol is an additional — possibly irritating — barrier.
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The active ingredients in the formula include niacinamide, adenosine, and allantoin, which work together to brighten dark circles, smooth fine lines, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles without irritating sensitive skin.
Verb
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The necessity of the trip at all is what's been bugging me.
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His doctor had been bugging him for years to get a colonoscopy because of his age, but Driggers declined.
Verb
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Biden weaponized Law Enforcement against his political opponent, while also persecuting many other innocent people.
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Jack Hayford, the founder of the King’s University, in Texas, claimed that the film was persecuting Christians, who only wanted to be treated equally.
Verb
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On direct appeal, the Florida Supreme Court vacated the death sentence and remanded the case for reconsideration over the trial court's handling of aggravating and mitigating factors in the case.
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Their drama is already stale, and between Nathan’s touchiness and Joe’s mistreatment of women, their fight over who is a better guy, a better seaman, a better worker, a better boyfriend is disengaging at best and aggravating at worst.
Cite this Entry
“Irking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irking. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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