What Is Another Way to Say “To Annoy”?

Looking for synonyms for to annoy? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say to annoy.

  • Irritate
  • Vex
  • Aggravate
  • Exasperate
  • Perturb
  • Bother
  • Irk
  • Rile
  • Displease
  • Upset
  • Nettle
  • Chafe
  • Provoke
  • Rankle
  • Tease
  • Pest
  • Ruffle
  • Miff
  • Torment
  • Disquiet

Want to learn how to say to annoy professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

1. Irritate

When to use: To express a mild level of annoyance or frustration caused by someone or something.

Example: “The constant interruptions during the team meeting can irritate team members and hinder productivity.”

2. Vex

When to use: Signifying a slightly more pronounced level of irritation or frustration due to a persistent issue or behavior.

Example: “The recurring technical glitches in the software continue to vex our customer support team.”

3. Aggravate

When to use: Referring to the act of worsening or intensifying an existing source of annoyance or frustration.

Example: “The delay in project delivery has only served to aggravate the client’s dissatisfaction with our services.”

4. Exasperate

When to use: Indicating a higher level of irritation and frustration, often due to repeated or ongoing issues.

Example: “The team’s failure to meet deadlines consistently has exasperated the project manager.”

5. Perturb

When to use: Describing a sense of unease or disturbance caused by something that is bothersome or unsettling.

Example: “The sudden change in leadership can perturb employees and create uncertainty in the organization.”

6. Bother

When to use: To express a general sense of annoyance or inconvenience caused by someone or something.

Example: “The constant ringing of the phone can bother employees in an open office environment.”

7. Irk

When to use: Signifying a feeling of being slightly annoyed or irritated by a specific action or behavior.

Example: “The consistent lateness of a team member continues to irk colleagues who rely on their input.”

8. Rile

When to use: Referring to the act of getting someone annoyed or worked up, often due to provocative behavior or comments.

Example: “His habit of making controversial remarks during meetings tends to rile up his colleagues.”

9. Displease

When to use: Indicating a mild sense of disappointment or unhappiness caused by someone’s actions or decisions.

Example: “The client’s decision to go with a different vendor did not displease our sales team.”

10. Upset

When to use: Describing a feeling of disturbance, often accompanied by emotional discomfort or distress.

Example: “The sudden change in project scope has upset the carefully planned timelines and resources.”

11. Nettle

When to use: Signifying a sense of irritation or annoyance, often caused by someone’s behavior or comments.

Example: “His habit of nitpicking every detail tends to nettle his team members and slow down progress.”

12. Chafe

When to use: Referring to the act of becoming irritated or annoyed due to friction or conflict with a particular situation.

Example: “The constant changes in project requirements can chafe team members who are trying to maintain consistency.”

13. Provoke

When to use: Indicating the act of deliberately inciting or stimulating annoyance or reaction in others.

Example: “His decision to question the team’s competence during the meeting was intended to provoke a response.”

14. Rankle

When to use: Describing a lingering sense of irritation or resentment caused by a past event or action.

Example: “The unresolved issue from the previous project continues to rankle team members, affecting collaboration.”

15. Tease

When to use: Signifying a playful or light-hearted form of annoyance, often used in interpersonal interactions.

Example: “Colleagues may tease each other about their habits, but it’s all in good fun.”

16. Pest

When to use: Referring to a person who is persistent or annoying in their behavior or actions.

Example: “The persistent salesperson continued to be a pest, despite our clear disinterest in their product.”

17. Ruffle

When to use: Indicating a sense of being disturbed or agitated by something that disrupts one’s peace or composure.

Example: “The unexpected change in project leadership can ruffle team members who were accustomed to the previous manager’s style.”

18. Miff

When to use: Describing a feeling of slight irritation or annoyance, often resulting from a minor inconvenience.

Example: “The miffed customer expressed dissatisfaction with the delayed response from our support team.”

19. Torment

When to use: Signifying a higher level of persistent annoyance or distress, often associated with suffering or hardship.

Example: “The ongoing technical issues have begun to torment users, affecting their overall experience.”

20. Disquiet

When to use: Referring to a sense of unease or disturbance caused by something unsettling or bothersome.

Example: “The disquiet among employees was palpable following the announcement of layoffs in the company.”

Linda Brown