What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pesky
Example
The pesky fly kept buzzing around my head. [pesky: adjective]
Example
I can't seem to get rid of this pesky cold. [pesky: adjective]
irritating
Example
The sound of the dripping faucet was so irritating. [irritating: adjective]
Example
Her constant interruptions during the meeting were very irritating. [irritating: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Irritating is more commonly used than pesky in everyday language. Irritating is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while pesky is less common and has a slightly playful or humorous connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pesky and irritating?
Both pesky and irritating are informal in tone and are not typically used in formal contexts.
