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

Those distractions have irked young bankers nearly as much as the loss of prized perks that were cut off last year.

From The Wall Street Journal

Also, we want to hear from you: Which corporate jargon irks you the most?

From The Wall Street Journal

He met his wife, Rebecca, at a wedding in 1992 that he attended as a friend’s plus one, irking her by interrupting her conversation with the bride.

From The Wall Street Journal

But their recommendations have often irked chief executives and their boards, especially over issues related to executive pay, climate-change disclosures and staff diversity.

From The Wall Street Journal

Guests sipped on water and wine, though some were irked by the delay given their tight schedules and ritzy dinners that awaited them.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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