Synonyms of irks

irks 1 of 2

noun

plural of irk

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

• headaches
• worries
• frustrations
• nuisances
• thorns
• problems
• inconveniences
• irritants
• annoyances
• rubs
• bothers
• peeves
• exasperations
• bugbears
• ruffles
• hair shirts
• aggravations
• pests
• vexations
• insults
• botherations
• hassles
• upsets
• menaces
• anxieties
• trials
• troubles
• aggros
• discomforts
• plagues
• curses
• affronts
• burdens
• annoyers
• predicaments
• pinpricks
• pet peeves
• offenders
• crosses
• disturbers
• plights
• albatross
• sores
• tribulations
• fleabites
• millstones
• offenses
• mischiefs
• harassers
• hang-ups
• afflictions
• pandora's boxes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasures
• joys
• delights

irks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of irk

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

• annoys
• bothers
• irritates
• bugs
• persecutes
• aggravates
• infuriates
• exasperates
• gets
• vexes
• riles
• angers
• chafes
• worries
• eats
• grates
• itches
• piques
• burns (up)
• gripes
• spites
• peeves
• wears on
• gets to
• plagues
• teases
• ruffles
• provokes
• narks
• galls
• frosts
• puts out
• hacks (off)
• enrages
• rubs the wrong way
• offends
• nettles
• upsets
• insults
• rasps
• nags
• harasses
• gets on one's nerves
• rouses
• gets one's goat
• sets one's teeth on edge
• sticks in one's craw
• unsettles
• rankles
• inflames
• hassles
• antagonizes
• agitates
• pesters
• outrages
• perturbs
• maddens
• harries
• disquiets
• distresses
• heckles
• roils
• unhinges
• incenses
• undoes
• badgers
• devils
• baits
• freaks (out)
• discomforts
• affronts
• miffs
• exercises
• bullyrags
• frets
• hagrides
• discomposes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obliges
• pleases
• satisfies
• delights
• appeases
• placates
• gladdens
• gratifies
• pacifies
• mollifies
• assures
• reassures
• contents
• propitiates
• cheers
• soothes
• conciliates
• quiets
• comforts
• consoles
• solaces

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of irks

Verb

That includes a 1986 quarterfinal match in Mexico that still irks England fans. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026

Tunnel clubs and creeping commercialisation which irks City’s legacy fans. — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 21 May 2026

Will’s short stature and lack of experience irks his idol Jett Filmore (Gabrielle Union, doing some complex voice acting), the Thorns’ aging star player. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026

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