as in headaches
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in annoys
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of irks
Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025
This particular iteration just irks you for some reason.
—Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
There is no appeal process, which irks Smith.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
It's pumiced enough to have no snags, no irks.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Knowing that this irks travelers, a growing number of hotels are installing intuitive lighting solutions.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 22 Aug. 2025
Mickey then makes mention of how much time Ashley has been spending up in the HOH room, which irks Ashley to no end.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 21 Aug. 2025
What actually irks me more is the way in which so many media outlets (even my own) continue to accept the Fox News framing of Gutfeld as a very successful combatant in what’s left of the late-night wars.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
There's something about red that just really irks me.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025
This particular iteration just irks you for some reason.
—Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
There is no appeal process, which irks Smith.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
It's pumiced enough to have no snags, no irks.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Knowing that this irks travelers, a growing number of hotels are installing intuitive lighting solutions.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 22 Aug. 2025
Mickey then makes mention of how much time Ashley has been spending up in the HOH room, which irks Ashley to no end.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 21 Aug. 2025
What actually irks me more is the way in which so many media outlets (even my own) continue to accept the Fox News framing of Gutfeld as a very successful combatant in what’s left of the late-night wars.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irks
Noun
-
From plane seatback organizers to carry-on cup holders, these accessories can save you from boarding delays and other headaches—starting at $9.—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
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The decades-old technology struggles to account for last-minute payroll changes and that can create all sorts of headaches for employees and departments alike.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
One of its two young sibling protagonists, Amber (Bianca Belle), channels her feelings about the recent death of her mother into drawings of creatures born out of her troubled imagination, some of whom enact violence against the classmate who annoys her.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
-
There's just one thing about Claire Danes that annoys Matthew Rhys.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
22 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Feeney’s book features multiple narrators, but relativity is not an idea the series bothers to develop.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Now, wages have grown, but inflation bothers people.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Her film is an honorable attempt to dramatize the everyday agonies and frustrations of Red Crescent workers, to honor their quick thinking and astonishing courage under duress.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
14 Jan. 2026
-
In Inkster, Michigan, dozens of residents have taken to social media to express their frustrations about high water bills.—
Veronica Ortega,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Somehow, this irritates Helen even more.—
Sadia Shepard,
New Yorker,
11 Jan. 2026
-
In other words, alcohol disrupts hydration, irritates the gut, inflames blood vessels, messes with sleep, and forces your liver into metabolic overdrive.—
Ciara Lucas,
SELF,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The park doesn’t need all these associated nuisances.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2026
-
In Milwaukee, nuisances include loud music, loitering and littering.—
Quinn Clark,
jsonline.com,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Both can reduce debris or items that attract the boxelder bugs.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Teyana Taylor x Air Jordan 1, her first sneaker collaboration, released in 2023 with a predominantly red colorway featuring green thorns on its Swoosh and a massive removable gold-tone metal charm featuring her initials and a rose.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
12 Jan. 2026
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Make sure to wear leather gloves to protect your hands from rose thorns.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irks. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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