annoy

annoy
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 annoyanceannoyer 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.

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Annoy — An*noy ([a^]n*noi ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Annoyed} ([a^]n*noid ); p. pr. & vb. n. {Annoying}.] [OE. anoien, anuien, OF. anoier, anuier, F. ennuyer, fr. OF. anoi, anui, enui, annoyance, vexation, F. ennui. See {Annoy}, n.] To disturb or irritate,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • annoy — vb 1 Annoy, vex, irk, bother mean to disturb and nervously upset a person. Annoy stresses loss of equanimity or patience as a result of being forced to endure something that one finds obnoxious or offensive or sometimes merely displeasing or… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Annoy — An*noy , n. [OE. anoi, anui, OF. anoi, anui, enui, fr. L. in odio hatred (esse alicui in odio, Cic.). See {Ennui}, {Odium}, {Noisome}, {Noy}.] A feeling of discomfort or vexation caused by what one dislikes; also, whatever causes such a feeling;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • annoy — [ə noi′] vt. [ME anoien < OFr anoier < VL inodiare < in odio habere (or esse), to have (or be) in hate: see ODIUM] 1. to irritate, bother, or make somewhat angry, as by a repeated action, noise, etc. 2. to harm by repeated attacks;… …   English World dictionary

  • annoy — I verb acerbate, affront, aggravate, badger, bedevil, bother, chafe, cross, discommode, discompose, displease, disquiet, distress, disturb, enrage, exasperate, fester, fret, gall, get on the nerves of, grate, grieve, harass, harm, harry, heckle,… …   Law dictionary

  • annoy — (v.) late 13c., from Anglo Fr. anuier, O.Fr. enoiier, anuier to weary, vex, anger; be troublesome or irksome to, from L.L. inodiare make loathsome, from L. (esse) in odio (it is to me) hateful, ablative of odium hatred (see ODIUM (Cf. odium)).… …   Etymology dictionary

  • annoy — [v] irritate, upset abrade, agitate, ask for it*, badger, be at*, bedevil, beleaguer, be on the back of*, bore, bother, break, bug, burn up, chafe, displease, distress, disturb, egg on*, exasperate, fire up*, gall, get, gnaw, harass, harry, heat… …   New thesaurus

  • annoy — ► VERB 1) make slightly angry. 2) pester or harass. 3) archaic harm or attack repeatedly. DERIVATIVES annoyance noun annoyed adjective annoying adjective. ORIGIN Old French anoier, from Latin …   English terms dictionary

  • annoy — verb ADVERB ▪ intensely, really ▪ His air of calm superiority annoyed her intensely. ▪ It really annoys me when people forget to say thank you. VERB + ANNOY ▪ be beginning to …   Collocations dictionary

  • annoy — 1. verb a) To disturb or irritate, especially by continued or repeated acts; to bother with unpleasant deeds. Marc loved his sister, but when she annoyed him he wanted to switch her off. b) To do something to upset or anger someone; to be… …   Wiktionary

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