irk
/ə:k/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To irritate, annoy, or vex someone; to cause feelings of impatience or displeasure.
- To weary or tire someone, often through persistent annoyance.
Usage
The verb "irk" is used to describe the action of causing mild to moderate annoyance or irritation. It often implies a sense of frustration that is ongoing or cumulative. It is typically used in more formal or literary contexts than synonyms like "annoy."
Examples
- Verb:
- The constant noise from the construction site began to irk the residents.
- It irks me when people are consistently late for meetings.
- His arrogant attitude irked his colleagues.
Advanced Usage
- "to be irked": To be in a state of annoyance or irritation.
- She was visibly irked by the repetitive questions.
- "to find something irksome": To consider something annoying (uses the adjective form "irksome").
- I find his constant interruptions irksome.
Variants and Related Words
- Irksome (adj): Causing annoyance or weariness.
- The irksome task of filling out paperwork took hours.
- Irking (present participle/gerund): The act of annoying.
- His habit of interrupting was a constant irking.
Synonyms
- Annoy: To cause slight anger or irritation.
- Vex: To annoy, worry, or frustrate, often in a more profound or perplexing way.
- Bother: To cause trouble or annoyance.
- Provoke: To stimulate or incite a reaction, often anger or annoyance.
Antonyms
- Please: To make someone feel happy and satisfied.
- Gratify: To give pleasure or satisfaction.
- Soothe: To gently calm or relieve.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- "It irks me to no end": Expresses that something is extremely annoying or frustrating.
- His lack of consideration irks me to no end.
- "An irk in one's side": A minor but persistent annoyance (a variation of "a thorn in one's side").
- The software bug was a constant irk in the developer's side.
Verb
- irritate or vex
- It galls me that we lost the suit