irk

American  

[urk] / ɜrk /

verb (used with object)

1. to irritate, annoy, or exasperate.

   It irked him to wait in line.

   Synonyms:

   tire, bother, fret, chafe

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irk British  

/ ɜːk /

verb

1. (tr) to irritate, vex, or annoy

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Etymology

Origin of irk

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

Example Sentences

Paul's inclusion in the rankings last year irked many traditionalists in the sport who felt he had leapfrogged some of the more established contenders.

From BBC

The new boss irked some within GM’s ranks when, in a recent town hall, he defended the company’s use of a controversial performance-ranking system to grade employees.

From The Wall Street Journal

I don’t mind medical tourism, but I was a bit irked this summer when he sent me to a hospital in Chicago.

From The Wall Street Journal

The ad, meant to spread cheer, irked viewers.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, Papperger’s assertive style has irked officials and some U.S. executives who have joined with the German business as a way to tap the booming European market.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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