54 Down

NYT Daily • September 3, 2025

Ticked off

Answer:

IRKED

Hint:

Think of how you might feel when someone repeatedly interrupts you—it’s a milder form of annoyance that starts with "I.

Explanation:

Ticked off" is a phrase that can mean annoyed or irritated, which directly matches the answer "irked"—a synonym for being mildly angered. The clue plays on the double meaning of "ticked off," which can also refer to checking items on a list, but here it’s purely about frustration. No wordplay or hidden tricks, just a straightforward definition hinting at the emotional state.

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