irksome

adjective

irk·​some ˈərk-səm How to pronounce irksome (audio)
: tending to irk : tedious
an irksome task
irksomely adverb
irksomeness noun

Examples of irksome in a Sentence

the irksome task of cleaning up the irksome habit of leaving all the kitchen cabinet doors open
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Democracy is a discipline, like diet and exercise, strenuous and irksome. David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025 What's irksome now could get patched, and what's already there is intriguing, especially for the price. Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 5 Mar. 2025 Example Of Time Wasted Keep in mind that besides the time involved, which can be irksome to users who are eagerly waiting for a result, the processing cycles are costing someone something somewhere. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025 Trump tends to speak in a stream of consciousness style that’s irksome for the leader of the free world. Nicole Russell, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for irksome

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irksome was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Irksome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irksome. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

irksome

adjective
irk·​some ˈərk-səm How to pronounce irksome (audio)
: annoying because of length or dullness
an irksome task
irksomely adverb
irksomeness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on irksome

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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