irksome

[ urk-suhm ]

adjective

1. annoying; irritating; exasperating; tiresome:

   irksome restrictions.

2. Obsolete. causing weariness or disgust.

irksome

/ ˈɜːksəm /

adjective

1. causing vexation, annoyance, or boredom; troublesome or tedious

Derived Forms

• ˈirksomely, adverb
• ˈirksomeness, noun

Other Words From

• irksome·ly adverb
• irksome·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of irksome¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; irk, -some ¹

Example Sentences

The fact drivers were needed to reach the green on the long par-three 17th was irksome to the Irishman.

From BBC

But it seemed like there were as many blowups as there were layups, and that became irksome for anybody watching.

From Seattle Times

Even more irksome to Russia than the Cameron comments were recent remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron, who publicly mused about the idea of sending European troops to Ukraine.

From Los Angeles Times

The irksome part of "Manhunt" is the way the writers seem to assume the audience isn’t savvy enough to notice the many modern parallels.

From Salon

Just tasting the Founders Manhattan — not thinking about it intently — the components that color outside the lines of tradition complicate it in ways that may seem more irksome than interesting to the classic Manhattan fan.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• aggravating
• bothersome
• irritating
• tedious
• troublesome
• troubling
• vexing