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

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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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of irks
Verb
Roddy is exceptional at his work, but his thoroughly unpleasant personality almost always irks his colleagues. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irks
  1. headaches
  2. annoys
  3. frustrations
  4. bothers
  5. nuisances
  6. irritates
  7. thorns
  8. bugs
Noun
  • Those with the condition, which was eventually named Minamata disease, had symptoms including tremors, headaches, seizures, vision and hearing problems, ataxia, dysarthria, memory loss, and cognitive decline.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Patients may experience a very high fever, headaches, neck pain, stupor, disorientation, muscle weakness and other serious symptoms.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of headaches
Verb
  • That very same thing is what annoys Liz about Charles 500 years later.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • But Turner is a symbol for everything that annoys people about the Phillies.
    — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of annoys
Noun
  • The past few weeks have seen the former host of To Catch a Predator repeatedly voice his frustrations with Oppenheim’s Primetime, A24’s dark thriller that will explore the origins of Hansen’s controversial Dateline segment.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The festering frustrations over Moreno’s meddling and middling tenure as owner were on full display throughout what is now the team’s 11th consecutive losing season.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of frustrations
Verb
  • That sequencing bothers people who’ve spent careers being told that data systems need privacy protections designed in, not bolted on after a scandal.
    — Karl W. Bickel, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Kurt's key takeaways What bothers me most about this scam is that criminals are going after people who may have the fewest options to protect themselves.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of bothers
Noun
  • The petition sought to classify data centers as industrial nuisances, arguing that a ban would protect residents’ property and preserve city resources, such as water and electricity.
    — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The number of bears killed by motor vehicle strikes, euthanized as nuisances because of conflicts with humans or poached in the Central Florida region over the past decade total about 1,900.
    — Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of nuisances
Verb
  • Knowing that Madame Lalouette’s sales numbers are too high to fire her, Carla attempts to transfer Madame Morel to a different department — a move that irritates her superiors and highlights her weakness.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
  • With contact dermatitis, a product like a soap or chemical irritates the skin or causes an allergic reaction, leading to symptoms like itching, discoloration, swelling, or even blisters.
    — Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Allure, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritates
Noun
  • Roses are considered non-toxic, though thorns can cause injuries and floral preservatives may still pose a risk.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Keep in mind that rose stems are often armed with sharp prickles, not thorns.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of thorns
Verb
  • Irwin is uncertain if the second infestation of bed bugs last weekend were ones that weren’t caught the first time, or if a person brought new bed bugs in.
    — Susan Bromley, Freep.com, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Not too much bugs him, but he sometimes is annoyed by his baby sister and doesn’t trust people who put pineapple on their pizza.
    — Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of bugs

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Cite this Entry

“Irks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irks. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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