irk
verb (used with object)
to irritate, annoy, or exasperate.
irked
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past participleof irk.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof irk.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
irkverb (used with object)to irritate, annoy, or exasperate.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Roberts irked Cubs fans a week and a half ago when, asked to evaluate Ohtani’s season overall, he said he’ll still be the NL MVP.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
That circumvention of Iran’s control has irked domestic critics of the preliminary peace deal with the U.S., which primarily aimed to reopen the strait and take pressure off oil prices.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026
Sanchez also dangled the prospect of a massive port deal for American investors -- one that would rival a Chinese port concession at Chancay north of Lima that has long irked the White House.
From Barron's ● Jun. 5, 2026
It was the removal of wartime leader Churchill that particularly irked politicians earlier this year.
From BBC ● Jun. 2, 2026
This had really irked me, so I started practicing Joust on my own, playing a few games a night against an AI opponent.
From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline
