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to irk

to irk

25 6.3
Make someone feel annoyed
  • verb
  • /ɜrk/
translation icon : molestar
  • The constant noise from the construction site really irks me while I'm trying to work.

And that, that's something that I, that irks me.

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Examples

Synonyms

to piss off
vsto irk
  • Offensive
317 9.9

To make someone very angry

is the milder, nonvulgar expression of causing bother
to annoy
vsto irk
246 1.0

Make someone slightly angry or bothered by small repeated actions

is very similar but often implies a quieter, lasting bother
to irritate
vsto irk
78 2.9

Make someone feel annoyed or impatient, often by repeated small actions

is like that but focuses on a single small bother
to rile
vsto irk
63 6.9

Make someone annoyed, often by small things

is similar but does not stress the trivial cause
to aggravate
vsto irk
43 4.2

Annoy someone and make them angrier

is milder and does not always imply repeated intensity
to gall
vsto irk
8 7.1

To annoy someone deeply

is less intense and usually avoids strong anger
to get on someone's nerves
vsto irk
  • Informal
7 4.9

To bother someone again and again until they feel angry

is used for single or occasional bother rather than ongoing cases
to get under someone's skin
vsto irk
  • Informal
4 7.4

To annoy someone a lot by small things another person does

is milder, used for a less deep or intense bother
to peeve
vsto irk
2 6.8

To make someone feel annoyed

is comparable but often feels less personal or resentful
to nark
vsto irk
  • UK
1 9.7

To annoy someone and make them feel irritated

expresses the same bother without the regional label
to get someone's goat
vsto irk
  • Informal
8.4

To annoy someone or make them angry

is similar but can be used for smaller, quieter irritation

Antonyms

216 1.0

To make someone happy or satisfied

48 1.0

To enjoy something very much

How Annoying

to infuriate
46 5.0
to vex
11 7.0
to irk
25 6.3
to annoy
246 1.0
to bother
1.0

Surface Forms

irk infinitive
irked past
irked past participle
irking present participle
irks third person singular

Etymology

The word irk often feels like the short, sharp sound you make when something annoys you, and one helpful way to remember it is to imagine someone saying 'urk' in frustration. So, irk means to 'annoy' or 'bother' someone.