v.
Pronunciation: ə - ' no ̇ i
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English anoien, from Anglo-French anuier, ennoier, from Late Latin inodiare to make loathsome, from Latin in + odium hatred ― more at ODIUM
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 : to disturb or irritate especially by repeated acts
2 : to harass especially by quick brief attacks
intransitive verb : to cause annoyance
– an · noy · er noun
synonyms ANNOY , VEX , IRK , BOTHER mean to upset a person's composure. ANNOY implies a wearing on the nerves by persistent petty unpleasantness <their constant complaining annoys us>. VEX implies greater provocation and stronger disturbance and usually connotes anger but sometimes perplexity or anxiety < vexed by her son's failure to clean his room>. IRK stresses difficulty in enduring and the resulting weariness or impatience of spirit <careless waste irks the boss>. BOTHER suggests interference with comfort or peace of mind <don't bother me while I'm reading>. synonym see in addition WORRY