annoy
verb (used with object)
to disturb or bother (a person) in a way that displeases, troubles, or slightly irritates.
had been annoying
-
past perfect progressiveof annoy.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
Zverev did not specify which issues had been annoying him after going to the top of the rankings.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
She told detectives she left the puppy at a park because it had been annoying her boyfriend by biting on his shoes and belongings, according to department spokesperson Natalie Garcia.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
It had been annoying him for some time and deserved it, according to Alexander Zverev.
From Reuters ● Jan. 17, 2017
Jeff was next; his chewing had been annoying in normal circumstances but the constant mastication, after Peter’s death, was unbearable.
From The Verge ● Aug. 2, 2015
It had been annoying at first, since I had to wait to get my own phone till my birthday months later, but now I was used to it.
From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence
