annoy

verb

an·​noy ə-ˈnȯi How to pronounce annoy (audio)
annoyed; annoying; annoys
Synonyms of annoynext

transitive verb

1
: to disturb or irritate especially by repeated acts
annoyed the neighbors with their loud arguments
2
: to harass especially by quick brief attacks

intransitive verb

: to cause annoyance
annoyer noun

Synonyms of annoy

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annoy, vex, irk, bother mean to upset a person's composure.

annoy implies a wearing on the nerves by persistent petty unpleasantness.

their constant complaining annoys us

vex implies greater provocation and stronger disturbance and usually connotes anger but sometimes perplexity or anxiety.

vexed by her son's failure to clean his room

irk stresses difficulty in enduring and the resulting weariness or impatience of spirit.

careless waste irks the boss

bother suggests interference with comfort or peace of mind.

don't bother me while I'm reading

synonyms see in addition worry

Examples of annoy in a Sentence

deliberately annoyed the elderly neighbor by walking across his lawn
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.
Skip fake florals, door bows, and chimes, which can look cheap or annoy neighbors. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 23 June 2026 That’ll annoy the Guillrameo team. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 26 June 2026 David goes on a tour of the past 250 years and is deeply annoyed by every facet of it. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 26 June 2026 Others are annoyed that its ambiguous language will create confusion over how — or if — the state will enforce compliance. — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for annoy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English anoien, from Anglo-French anuier, ennoier, from Late Latin inodiare to make loathsome, from Latin in + odium hatred — more at odium

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of annoy was in the 14th century

Rhymes for annoy

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Browse Nearby Words

anno urbis conditae
annoy
annoyance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Annoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/annoy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

annoy

verb
an·​noy ə-ˈnȯi How to pronounce annoy (audio)
: to disturb or irritate especially by repeated acts : vex
annoyer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on annoy

Nglish: Translation of annoy for Spanish Speakers

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