Irk — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈərk/

Meaning & Definition of Irk

Irk (verb)

  1. to make weary, irritated, or bored

Irk (noun)

  1. the fact of being annoying
  2. a source of annoyance

Irk (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, eat, exasperate, frost, gall, get, grate, gripe, hack (off), irritate, itch, nark (British), nettle, peeve, persecute, pique, put out, rasp, rile, ruffle, spite, vex, get one's goat, get on one's nerves, get to, rub the wrong way, set one's teeth on edge, stick in one's craw, wear on
    related: hassle, heckle, nag, inflame, provoke, rouse, badger, bait, bullyrag, devil, hagride, harass, harry, pester, plague, tease, anger, antagonize, enrage, incense, infuriate, madden, rankle, roil, agitate, discomfort, discompose, disquiet, distress, exercise, freak (out), fret, perturb, undo, unhinge, unsettle, upset, worry, affront, insult, miff, offend, outrage
    near: appease, conciliate, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, propitiate, delight, gladden, gratify, please, satisfy, assure, cheer, comfort, console, content, quiet, reassure, solace, soothe

Irk (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that is a source of irritation

    "one of the prof's major irks is a cell phone that rings during a lecture"

    similar: aggravation, aggro (British), annoyance, bother, botheration, bugbear, exasperation, frustration, hair shirt, hassle, headache, inconvenience, irritant, nuisance, peeve, pest, rub, ruffle, thorn, trial, vexation
    related: discomfort, fleabite, pinprick, affront, insult, offense, upset, worry, affliction, albatross, burden, cross, curse, menace, millstone, plague, sore, anxiety, plight, predicament, tribulation, trouble, hang-up, pet peeve, problem, annoyer, disturber, harasser, mischief, offender, pandora's box
    near: delight, joy, pleasure

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Irk

The most common words with a similar meaning to Irk:

British: nark, aggro
aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, eat, exasperate, frost, gall, get, grate, gripe, hack (off), irritate, itch, nettle, peeve, persecute, pique, put out, rasp, rile, ruffle, spite, vex, get one's goat, get on one's nerves, get to, rub the wrong way, set one's teeth on edge, stick in one's craw, wear on, aggravation, annoyance, botheration, bugbear, exasperation, frustration, hair shirt

Related Words for Irk

heckle, nag, inflame, provoke, rouse, badger, bait, bullyrag, devil, hagride, harass, harry, pester, plague, tease, anger, antagonize, enrage, incense, infuriate, madden, rankle, roil, agitate, discomfort, discompose, disquiet, distress, exercise, freak (out)

Near Antonyms of Irk

appease, conciliate, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, propitiate, delight, gladden, gratify, please, satisfy, assure, cheer, comfort, console, content, quiet, reassure, solace, soothe, joy, pleasure

Word Forms of Irk

Inflections: irked, irking, irks

Origin & Etymology of Irk

Middle English

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Irk

What does "Irk" mean?

"Irk" means to make weary, irritated, or bored. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to make weary, irritated, or bored. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Irk"?

Other words for "Irk" include aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, eat and exasperate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Irk" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Irk"?

There are 119 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Irk". Common alternatives include aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, eat, exasperate, frost and gall.

How do you use "Irk" in a sentence?

Examples of "Irk" in a sentence: "she irked her friend by chewing her gum loudly during the movie"; "one of the prof's major irks is a cell phone that rings during a lecture".

Is "Irk" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Irk" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Irk"?

"Irk" is pronounced /ˈərk/.

What is the origin of the word "Irk"?

"Irk" comes from Middle English. First known use: 15th century.

What is another word for "Irk" meaning "to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts"?

When "Irk" (verb) means to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts, synonyms include aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, burn (up) and chafe.