annoy

[ uh-noi ]

verb (used with object)

1. to disturb or bother (a person) in a way that displeases, troubles, or slightly irritates.

   Synonyms: pester, harass

   Antonyms: soothe, calm, comfort

2. to molest; harm.

verb (used without object)

1. to be bothersome or troublesome.

noun

1. Archaic. an annoyance.

annoy

/ əˈnɔɪ /

verb

1. to irritate or displease
2. to harass with repeated attacks

Derived Forms

• anˈnoyer, noun

Other Words From

• an·noyer noun
• half-an·noyed adjective
• unan·noyed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of annoy¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (for the verb) Middle English an(n)oien, enoien, from Anglo-French, Old French anoier, anuier “to molest, harm, tire,” from Late Latin inodiāre “to cause aversion,” from Latin phrase (mihi) in odiō (est) “I dislike,” literally, “(it is) in hate (to me)”; in- ², odium; (for the noun) Middle English a(n)noi, ennoi, from Anglo-French, Old French a(n)nui, enui, derivative of the verb ( ennui ( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of annoy¹

C13: from Old French anoier, from Late Latin inodiāre to make hateful, from Latin in odiō ( esse ) (to be) hated, from odium hatred

Synonym Study

See bother, worry.

Example Sentences

His political takes are even more provocative, meant to arouse, anger and annoy but also to provoke push-back, stirring debate and discussion.

From Los Angeles Times

I didn't want to annoy people.

From Salon

This defiant tone seemed to annoy several members of the City Hall press corps, who had been informed by their reliable sources that the end was near for Adams.

From Salon

The government says the main legislation relevant to spiking is Section 24 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861, which includes maliciously administering poison with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy that person.

From BBC

When Ohtani underwent his second elbow surgery last September, it was announced that he would not be ready to pitch until 2025, and the Dodgers are wary of suddenly changing that timetable, especially since it would annoy Ohtani’s overbearing agent, Nez Balelo.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agitate
• bore
• bother
• displease
• disturb
• exasperate
• fire up
• gall
• irk
• peeve
• perturb
• rile
• trouble
• turn off
• vex
• worry