IRKS Synonyms: 146 Similar and Opposite Words

irks 1 of 2

noun

plural of irk

as in headaches

something that is a source of irritation one of the prof's major irks is a cell phone that rings during a lecture

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irks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of irk

as in annoys

to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts she irked her friend by chewing her gum loudly during the movie

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of irks

Verb

Roddy is exceptional at his work, but his thoroughly unpleasant personality almost always irks his colleagues. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2026 That includes a 1986 quarterfinal match in Mexico that still irks England fans. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026 Tunnel clubs and creeping commercialisation which irks City’s legacy fans. — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 21 May 2026 Will’s short stature and lack of experience irks his idol Jett Filmore (Gabrielle Union, doing some complex voice acting), the Thorns’ aging star player. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026 There's something about red that just really irks me. — Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025 This particular iteration just irks you for some reason. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025 There is no appeal process, which irks Smith. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025 It's pumiced enough to have no snags, no irks. — Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for irks

Noun

In Meta’s case, creepy video-recording incidents and privacy-light tampering have caused severe headaches for the company.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Neurological symptoms, like persistent headaches, may also warrant seeing a doctor.

— Angelica Stabile , Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of headaches

Noun

The rhetoric from Rogers and other Republicans about El-Sayed has added to those frustrations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
In July, antigovernment protests forced the resignation of the education minister over frustrations with the examination system.

— Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of frustrations

Noun

Macomb County, Michigan Spongy moths, formerly known as gypsy moths, are an invasive insect that can damage trees and create nuisances for residents, county officials said.

— Paula Wethington, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
But coyotes, with their abundant numbers and reputation as nuisances, are not.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of nuisances

Verb

Patients may be advised to use gentle, fragrance-free products, keep the area moisturized, and avoid anything that further irritates the skin.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Knowing that Madame Lalouette’s sales numbers are too high to fire her, Carla attempts to transfer Madame Morel to a different department — a move that irritates her superiors and highlights her weakness.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of irritates

Noun

Cue an enthralling chase sequence, doubling back through those higgledy-piggledy Portland streetscapes, toward the woods — the impenetrable thickets and thorns of which magically part in her presence.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Grace Carroll gives a poignant performance as the Nightingale—borne aloft with arched back and trembling, outstretched hands by other dancers, who play thorns that pierce her breast—and Adam Elmes makes a seductively sinister Dorian Gray.

— Hannah Aizenman, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of thorns

Verb

Irwin is uncertain if the second infestation of bed bugs last weekend were ones that weren’t caught the first time, or if a person brought new bed bugs in.

— Susan Bromley, Freep.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Not too much bugs him, but he sometimes is annoyed by his baby sister and doesn’t trust people who put pineapple on their pizza.

— Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of bugs

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irking

irks

irksome

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“Irks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irks. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of irks

noun

verb

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