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Showing results for irksome. Search instead for irksomenesses.
Synonyms

irksome

American  
[urk-suhm] / ˈɜrk səm /

adjective

  1. annoying; irritating; exasperating; tiresome.

    irksome restrictions.

  2. Obsolete. causing weariness or disgust.

irksome British  
/ ˈɜːksəm /

adjective

  1. causing vexation, annoyance, or boredom; troublesome or tedious

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • irksomely adverb
  • irksomeness noun

Etymology

Origin of irksome

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; irk, -some 1

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.

"The rise of AI has raised concerns about low-quality content — also known as AI slop," YouTube chief executive Neal Mohan said of the irksome phenomenon.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

But for the moment, this looks like a pat on the head to a couple of avid but irksome boosters.

From Slate • Nov. 16, 2024

The fact drivers were needed to reach the green on the long par-three 17th was irksome to the Irishman.

From BBC • Jul. 22, 2024

But it seemed like there were as many blowups as there were layups, and that became irksome for anybody watching.

From Seattle Times • May 18, 2024

I did not wish to hear this irksome lecture.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.