irritant

1 of 2

noun

ir·​ri·​tant ˈir-ə-tənt 

: something that irritates or excites

irritant

2 of 2

adjective

: causing irritation

specifically : tending to produce physical irritation

Synonyms

Noun

• aggravation
• aggro [British]
• annoyance
• bother
• botheration
• bugbear
• exasperation
• frustration
• hair shirt
• hassle
• headache
• inconvenience
• irk
• nuisance
• peeve
• pest
• rub
• ruffle
• thorn
• trial
• vexation

Examples of irritant in a Sentence

Noun

dust and other lung irritants

The delay was a minor irritant.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The bladder urgency and frequency that millennial women are experiencing can be caused, in part, by irritants like caffeine, alcohol, seltzer water, and chocolate, says McGurk, and also poor water intake and prolonged sitting. —Fiorella Valdesolo, Vogue, 19 Apr. 2024

Bonus: This product is free of common irritants like essential oils and silicones. —Marilyn La Jeunesse, Glamour, 16 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1802, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1636, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

irritant

1 of 2 adjective

ir·​ri·​tant ˈir-ə-tənt 

: tending to produce anger, annoyance, impatience, soreness, or inflammation

especially : tending to produce physical irritation

irritant

2 of 2 noun

: something that irritates

Medical Definition

irritant

1 of 2 adjective

ir·​ri·​tant ˈir-ə-tənt 

: causing irritation

specifically : tending to produce inflammation

irritant

2 of 2 noun

: something that irritates or excites

specifically : an agent by which irritation is produced

a chemical irritant