as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
she irked her friend by chewing her gum loudly during the movie
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in headache
something that is a source of irritation
one of the prof's major irks is a cell phone that rings during a lecture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of irk
Matt Fuchs, TIME, 22 Nov. 2024
The candidate who wanted the debate is bound to be greatly irked.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
Washington Post, 22 Apr. 2022
The Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson varieties seem to sit somewhere in the middle of the spectrum of immunological irk.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 1 Dec. 2021
See all Example Sentences for irk 
Verb
Mouth-taping had long been the empty threat of spouses irked by their partner’s snoring, but now the TikTok tapers seal their own mouths voluntarily, looking for better sleep and more likes.
—Matt Fuchs, TIME, 22 Nov. 2024
The candidate who wanted the debate is bound to be greatly irked.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
Noun
The violence gets worse from there, and somehow all that is supposed to fit into a show about a Washington socialite whose biggest irk in the premiere is her rivalry with the first lady.
—Washington Post, 22 Apr. 2022
The Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson varieties seem to sit somewhere in the middle of the spectrum of immunological irk.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 1 Dec. 2021
See all Example Sentences for irk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irk
Verb
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Yates’ behavior annoyed his first pair of cellmates, who demanded he be removed, his father said.Kelly Davis, The Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2024
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They are annoyed by the limitations and complications of finding recharging stations.Greg Petro, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
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What To Know Havana Syndrome, first reported in 2016 by U.S. diplomats in Cuba, is characterized by symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, cognitive difficulties and even possible brain injuries.David Faris, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024
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The condition, which occurs due to a portion of the skull being misshapen or too small, can cause symptoms like headaches, dizziness and vertigo, weak muscles, difficulty with balance or coordination, neck pain, trouble swallowing or breathing, insomnia, seizures, slow heart rhythm and more.Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Owners should be cautious about walking areas where the sidewalks or roads are salted, as the texture and chemicals can irritate or cut a dog's paw pads.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
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India also irritated Pacific island states and Southeast Asian ones by refusing to ban subsidies for fisheries in sovereign waters.Manjari Chatterjee Miller, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Roger Hallam, the co-founder of the group, is given a five-year term for conspiracy to cause public nuisance.The Week UK, theweek, 25 Dec. 2024
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Robert Redford delivers folksy wisdom as a local eccentric who once had his own dragon encounter, and even Karl Urban’s greedy logger is more of a nuisance than an outright villain.Josh Bell, Vulture, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The city and state have also been ramping up efforts to engage troubled vagrants sleeping and sometimes bothering straphangers, connecting them with services and shelter and potentially involuntary treatment.New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Dec. 2024
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Kansas City Chiefs 27, Houston Texans 19 (Saturday): Patrick Mahomes didn't look bothered by his high ankle sprain, keeping the Chiefs in line for the AFC's top playoff seed.Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Several rabble-rousers who were a thorn in the leadership’s side are leaving the House, including Reps. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) and Bob Good (R-Va.).Filip Timotija, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024
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Gone With the Wind Tonight’s finale is the best example yet of how the fire-making challenge continues to be a thorn in the New Era’s side.Joe Reid, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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But since joining the Twins before the 2023 season on a three-year contract, Vázquez hasn’t been the same hitter, and it’s bugged him.Dan Hayes, The Athletic, 16 Aug. 2024
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But after all the weight loss, there were still things that still bugged Russell.Brenda Goodman, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Many non-tribal residents felt that Ojibwe people were being given special privileges not afforded to them, and expressed their frustration through protests.Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 30 Dec. 2024
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Veteran offseason signing Eddie Jackson, who started four games, also was benched and then released after his frustration boiled over with an outburst at Orr in front of players and coaches.Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near irk
Cite this Entry
“Irk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irk. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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