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

There were so few sightings of lovebugs in 2023 that Leppla and other entomologists received calls from the public asking where the irksome little critters went. — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026

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