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

This change is particularly annoying since the multiplayer structure hasn't been notably improved since payment was required. —PCMAG, 15 Jan. 2025

This is a book that is charming, intelligent and occasionally annoying. —Jennifer Szalai, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025

Fewer Tarrant County kids are protected against whooping cough, a disease that can range from annoying to miserable for adults but that can be deadly for infants, according to a Star-Telegram analysis of vaccination data. —Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2025

As captivating as the suspense is the provocative exploration of working with a helpful (yet annoying) colleague who’s not quite human. —Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025

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