Synonyms of irksome

irksome

adjective

ˈərk-səm 

as in annoying

causing annoyance

the irksome habit of leaving all the kitchen cabinet doors open

Synonyms & Similar Words

• annoying
• frustrating
• irritating
• disturbing
• exasperating
• aggravating
• maddening
• vexing
• bothersome
• painful
• vexatious
• pesky
• abrasive
• nettlesome
• pestilential
• pestiferous
• galling
• plaguey
• rebarbative
• distractive
• peeving
• troublesome
• nettling
• infuriating
• pestilent
• chafing
• troubling
• pesty
• stressful
• rankling
• carking
• burdensome
• displeasing
• riling
• importunate
• tiresome
• mischievous
• disquieting
• discomforting
• distressing
• upsetting
• biting
• offensive
• worrisome
• enraging
• inconveniencing
• angering
• trying
• jarring
• thorny
• importune
• bratty
• brattish
• grating
• spiny
• jangling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• delightful
• pleasing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of irksome

Most people find that irksome shingles symptoms slowly subside in a few weeks, but PHN can last months or even years. — Alyssa Sparacino, Glamour, 27 Apr. 2026

The co-directors’ script is eventful enough, however, to keep their squabbling more as comedic background noise than an irksome dominant element. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026

Harbor officials called the situation more irksome than worrisome, noting booking a diving operation to assist with surfacing the structure could take a week or more. — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 20 Feb. 2026

Skarsgård is sufficiently wacky and off-putting as the irksome Johannes, and Jamie Demetriou does yeoman’s work as Charli’s put-upon manager, Tim, the poor sap tapped to keep Charli on task (and usually fails). — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026