I. annoy noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English annoi, from Old French anoi, enui, from anoier, enuier
1. archaic : a feeling of discomfort or vexation : annoyance
2. obsolete : something that is a source of annoyance or trouble
II. an·noy əˈnȯi verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English anoien, from Old French anoier, enuier, from Late Latin inodiare to make loathsome, from Latin in odio in hatred, odious, from in + odio, abl. of odium hatred — more at in , odium
transitive verb
1. : to irritate with a nettling or exasperating effect especially by being a continuous or repeatedly renewed source of vexation : provoke , vex
by living together they annoyed the rest of the family even more than they irritated each other — William Thornton
often puzzled and sometimes annoyed by the ways of other peoples who are strange to us — W.A.Parker
2.
a. : to harass especially by quick and brief attacks
dogs annoying a cornered bear
infiltrating behind the lines so as to annoy the enemy replacements
b. obsolete : to injure slightly
3. obsolete : to interfere with : affect detrimentally
intransitive verb
: to be a source of annoyance
some personalities antagonize; others simply annoy
Synonyms:
vex , irk , bother , worry : annoy suggests disturbed or irritated loss of composure, placidity, or patience through enduring affliction, molestation, slight, or discomfort
Richard's absence annoyed him. The youth was vivacious, and his enthusiasm good fun — George Meredith
annoy you with unnecessary details — P.B.Kyne
Hopkinson annoyed the British in Philadelphia with a satirical ballad — American Guide Series: Pennsylvania
vex , somewhat stronger than annoy in implying a deep effect, applies to what provokes, disturbs, or perplexes
the faulty translation that so vexes teachers — C.H.Grandgent
you take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion on my poor nerves — Jane Austen
Mr. Hudson, in his La Plata, has vexed himself with similar problems — Norman Douglas
irk now often applies to angering or provoking into a rejoinder; its older meaning of wearying and boring is becoming less common
the supervision of the ubiquitous secret-service men irked his nerves — S.H.Adams
the overiterated becomes the monotonous, and the monotonous irks and bores — J.L.Lowes
bother applies to whatever distracts, upsets, frets, or discomposes so that one cannot be placid or intent
she is also a little bothered, I think, because the servant is going to leave — Arnold Bennett
Jack and Ethel bothered him, they might think he'd quit on them — Oliver La Farge
worry indicates suffering with fretting care or anxiety
half sick and worried by debts
one who has worried over governmental problems all of his mature life — Felix Frankfurter
I'm to have my peace of mind destroyed — I'm to be worried into my grave — Douglas Jerrold
Synonym: see in addition worry .