annoyance

noun

an·​noy·​ance ə-ˈnȯi-ən(t)s How to pronounce annoyance (audio)
1
: the act of annoying someone or of being annoyed
2
: the state or feeling of being annoyed : vexation
She couldn't hide her annoyance.
3
: a source of vexation or irritation : nuisance
The delay was a minor annoyance.

Examples of annoyance in a Sentence

She expressed annoyance at the slow service. they have an unlisted number in the hopes that it will reduce the constant annoyance by telemarketers
Recent Examples on the Web Billions of the winged insects will make an appearance across the Midwest and the Southeast for a raucous mating ritual that tends to inspire fascination and annoyance in equal measure. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 23 Jan. 2024 Share [Findings] The nocturnal heart rate of young men can be predicted by their female partners’ daytime feelings of intimacy or annoyance. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 That annoyance is likely the last thing passengers would want on a long-haul flight to a tropical destination. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2024 Perhaps to Maduro’s annoyance, the mantra has become a sarcastic quip, invoked when the Caracas airport goes dark during a power outage, for example. Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2024 Itchy skin is a constant annoyance that dogs can experience for all kinds of reasons. Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 9 Feb. 2024 Some fans immediately turned to social media to voice their annoyance. EW.com, 24 Jan. 2024 The Late Show did in fact unearth the old clip, which finds a young Hartley approaching a woman sitting alone at a bar and sliding her a key to his hotel room, much to her annoyance. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 9 Feb. 2024 This is a room of theater kids unleashed for the night — current theater kids, former theater kids and wannabe theater kids — lip-syncing dozens of mostly contemporary Broadway classics, for hours, with all the charm, annoyance and dramatic feelings that suggests. Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'annoyance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of annoyance was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near annoyance

Cite this Entry

“Annoyance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/annoyance. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

annoyance

noun
an·​noy·​ance ə-ˈnȯi-ən(t)s How to pronounce annoyance (audio)
1
a
: the act of annoying
b
: the feeling of being annoyed
2
: a source of annoyance : nuisance

More from Merriam-Webster on annoyance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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