annoying

adjective

an·​noy·​ing ə-ˈnȯi-iŋ 

: causing vexation or irritation : causing annoyance : irritating

an annoying habit

annoying questions

annoyingly

ə-ˈnȯi-iŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• abrasive
• aggravating
• bothersome
• carking
• chafing
• disturbing
• exasperating
• frustrating
• galling
• irksome
• irritating
• maddening
• nettlesome
• nettling
• peeving
• pesky
• pestiferous
• pestilent
• pestilential
• pesty
• plaguey
• plaguy
• rankling
• rebarbative
• riling
• vexatious
• vexing

Examples of annoying in a Sentence

my partner has the annoying habit of eating all the pickles and leaving a jar full of pickle juice in the refrigerator

Recent Examples on the Web

In an attempt to hang loose with the gang at a PMF, you may be exposed to gossipy whispers about the foibles, secrets or annoying idiosyncrasies of fellow execs or co-workers. —Dr. David Lenihan, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025

And Jamie still refuses to apologize for any of the violence, which is very annoying. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024

However, that also means having to endure a fair amount of filler missions and some potentially annoying enemy encounters with tricky win or defeat conditions. —Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 27 Dec. 2024

This month, Bowen, Danny Ings, Kilman and Aaron Cresswell had to decide who was the most annoying in training. —Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see annoy

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

annoying

adjective

an·​noy·​ing ə-ˈnȯi-iŋ 

: causing annoyance

an annoying habit

annoyingly adverb