ANNOY Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'annoy' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of annoy are harass , harry , pester , plague , tease , and worry . While all these words mean "to disturb or irritate by persistent acts," annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks. // you're doing that just to annoy me

Q: When could 'harass' be used to replace 'annoy'?

The synonyms harass and annoy are sometimes interchangeable, but harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power. // harassed on all sides by creditors

Q: Where would 'harry' be a reasonable alternative to 'annoy'?

The words harry and annoy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment. // the strikers had been harried by thugs

Q: When might 'pester' be a better fit than 'annoy'?

While in some cases nearly identical to annoy , pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks. // constantly pestered with trivial complaints

Q: In what contexts can 'plague' take the place of 'annoy'?

While the synonyms plague and annoy are close in meaning, plague implies a painful and persistent affliction. // plagued all her life by poverty

Q: When is 'tease' a more appropriate choice than 'annoy'?

Although the words tease and annoy have much in common, tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath. // children teased the dog

Q: When can 'worry' be used instead of 'annoy'?

The meanings of worry and annoy largely overlap; however, worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation. // pursued a policy of worrying the enemy

annoy

verb

ə-ˈnȯi

Definition of annoy next

as in to irritate

to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts deliberately annoyed the elderly neighbor by walking across his lawn

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb annoy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of annoy are harass, harry, pester, plague, tease, and worry. While all these words mean "to disturb or irritate by persistent acts," annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks.

you're doing that just to annoy me

When could harass be used to replace annoy?

The synonyms harass and annoy are sometimes interchangeable, but harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power.

harassed on all sides by creditors

Where would harry be a reasonable alternative to annoy?

The words harry and annoy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment.

the strikers had been harried by thugs

When might pester be a better fit than annoy?

While in some cases nearly identical to annoy, pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks.

constantly pestered with trivial complaints

In what contexts can plague take the place of annoy?

While the synonyms plague and annoy are close in meaning, plague implies a painful and persistent affliction.

plagued all her life by poverty

When is tease a more appropriate choice than annoy?

Although the words tease and annoy have much in common, tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath.

children teased the dog

When can worry be used instead of annoy?

The meanings of worry and annoy largely overlap; however, worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation.

pursued a policy of worrying the enemy

Examples 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 annoy The game was tied at 25 with 7:22 left in the first half, but Florida Southwestern was clearly annoyed by the constant pressure. —

Cj Moore, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025 Mostly we are annoyed by inane thickets of regulation and are suckers for a politician who vows to sweep them aside. —

Peter C. Baker, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025 As a longtime journalist and public relations executive in Greater Cincinnati, Crowley spent decades making calls to people who might have been annoyed if the caller was anyone but Crowley. —

Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 29 Dec. 2024 Initially annoyed by his bubbly personality, Jovie eventually warms up to Buddy, and the pair fall in love. —

Skyler Caruso, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for annoy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for annoy

Verb

Prolonged exposure to vog can irritate the eyes, throat and lungs, particularly for those with preexisting respiratory conditions.

— Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Rising temperatures also accelerate the production of ground-level ozone, a harmful gas that irritates airways and can trigger asthma attacks.

— Bill Frist, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025