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.
The satirical scenes of Kris’ agent (Sarah Sherman) getting annoyed that her client can’t pitch a four-quadrant movie are hilarious while also ringing of truth. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 During his last visit to Tehran in 2012, Aryan Diba enjoyed the sweeping hospitality of the city, but was annoyed when he and a group of friends were disrupted by local authorities while talking to a group of women at a local fast food joint. — Colin Wrenn, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2026 The Australian miner with closest ties to China, Forrest was annoyed by CMRG’s attack, calling on the commodity buying cartel to ‘negotiate fairly’. — Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Tiesi, appearing to be annoyed, received a video call from him seconds later. — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 29 July 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
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Cite this Entry

“Annoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/annoy. Accessed 10 Aug. 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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