irk

[ urk ]

verb (used with object)

1. to irritate, annoy, or exasperate:

   It irked him to wait in line.

   Synonyms: tire, bother, fret, chafe

irk

/ ɜːk /

verb

1. tr to irritate, vex, or annoy

Word History and Origins

Origin of irk¹

1300–50; Middle English irken to grow tired, tire < Old Norse yrkja to work, cognate with Old English wyrcan; work

Word History and Origins

Origin of irk¹

C13 irken to grow weary; probably related to Old Norse yrkja to work

Example Sentences

I begin to avoid the people, places and things that irk me.

From Los Angeles Times

One would assume that — slight compliment to his comedic chops or not — this will irk Trump.

From Salon

That breach of cricketing etiquette, in an era of fusty formality, was sufficient to slightly irk Bradman as he walked from his crease.

From BBC

What appears especially to irk Wonderful is that the board has twice rejected its motions to suspend, or stay, the certification and negotiation procedure until after it rules on the company’s objections.

From Los Angeles Times

The one thing that will irk him is that he hasn't been able to have a real impact in Europe with Celtic.

From BBC

Related Words

• annoy
• bother
• disturb
• gall
• inconvenience
• irritate
• peeve
• provoke
• rile
• vex