irritation

noun

ir·​ri·​ta·​tion ˌir-ə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce irritation (audio)
1
a
: the state of being irritated
b
: something that irritates
c
: the act of irritating
2
: a condition of irritability, soreness, roughness, or inflammation of a bodily part

Examples of irritation in a Sentence

Dad's general irritation at the incessant complaining coming from the back seat of the car.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fortunately, there are ways to manage the dryness and irritation, including taking warm (not hot) baths, using a humidifier and applying a creamy, fragrance-free moisturizer within three minutes of bathing and throughout the day, the AADA notes. Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 7 July 2025 And despite the tight fit, the fabric felt soft against the skin without any abrasion or irritation. Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2025 Harshly scrubbing the skin can lead to irritation that may contribute to accelerated visible aging in the form of wrinkles. Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 2 July 2025 Naseem reviewed those documents before shifting her irritation toward the DHS attorney, questioning why the error wasn't fixed. Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for irritation

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1c

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Irritation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irritation. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

irritation

noun
ir·​ri·​ta·​tion ˌir-ə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce irritation (audio)
1
: the act of irritating : the state of being irritated
2

Medical Definition

irritation

noun
ir·​ri·​ta·​tion ˌir-ə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce irritation (audio)
1
a
: the act of irritating
b
: something that irritates
c
: the state of being irritated
2
: a condition of irritability, soreness, roughness, or inflammation of a bodily part

More from Merriam-Webster on irritation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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