as in annoying
causing annoyance
the irksome habit of leaving all the kitchen cabinet doors open
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Recent Examples of irksome
Her sense of entitlement is irksome; nevertheless, I’m impressed by her devotion to her daughter.
—
Lucinda Rosenfeld, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
There are a few reasons why these words are so irksome.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
His quarry was Frank Sinatra, the reigning entertainment icon of the 20th century, then on the verge of turning the irksome age of 50.
—Mark Rozzo, Air Mail, 20 Sep. 2025
But Cho isn’t studying irksome effects like hay fever, or what pollen means for the plants that make it.
—Sandy Ong, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irksome
Lucinda Rosenfeld, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
There are a few reasons why these words are so irksome.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
His quarry was Frank Sinatra, the reigning entertainment icon of the 20th century, then on the verge of turning the irksome age of 50.
—Mark Rozzo, Air Mail, 20 Sep. 2025
But Cho isn’t studying irksome effects like hay fever, or what pollen means for the plants that make it.
—Sandy Ong, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irksome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irksome
Adjective
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Your husband’s petty desire to be right about everything is understandably annoying and somewhat typical behavior.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
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Dealing with frost on your car may be a nuisance in the winter, but seeds, leaves, and flower petals can be equally as annoying in spring.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Those are frustrating questions to still have about a fifth-year player, but Sorsby could generate some first-round sizzle with a clean 2026 season.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Few things in gardening can be more frustrating than discovering that your favorite plants have been damaged by animals.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Derms say mineral blocks tend to be less irritating for sensitive skin.—
Brigitt Earley,
Glamour,
24 Apr. 2026
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In both Dream Scenario and The Drama, Borgli sides with the maligned, framing those who cast judgment as shrewish and needling (exemplified in The Drama with a deliciously irritating performance from Alana Haim).—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Angels fans who had regained some faith in Yusei Kikuchi after last weekend’s encouraging start could only watch with frustration as all of that was wiped away in one disturbing inning.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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Most disturbing about the Game 3 blowout was not the who, but the how.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irksome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irksome. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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