1
as in annoying
causing annoyance
his particularly irritating habit of leaving his dirty clothes on the floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in bothering
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
constant chatter irritated the student, who was trying to concentrate on a hard assignment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of irritating
Adam Kirsch,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
And compared with stronger anti-aging ingredients like retinoids or chemical exfoliants, copper peptides are generally considered less irritating and are often well-tolerated by sensitive skin.
—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Kieaundria Bellamy,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
Key Points Cayenne pepper can deter squirrels by irritating their senses without causing harm.
—
Melissa Epifano,
The Spruce,
28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for irritating
Adjective
The post carried neither hereditary title nor extraordinary fortune, and yet it was regarded with a degree of respect that many noble families found faintly irritating.
—
Adam Kirsch,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
And compared with stronger anti-aging ingredients like retinoids or chemical exfoliants, copper peptides are generally considered less irritating and are often well-tolerated by sensitive skin.
—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Verb
These concerns can make even a simple cleanse feel irritating instead of refreshing.
—
Kieaundria Bellamy,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
Key Points Cayenne pepper can deter squirrels by irritating their senses without causing harm.
—
Melissa Epifano,
The Spruce,
28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for irritating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritating
Adjective
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Scam texts are annoying for everyone.
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Others have blamed everything from feminism and long work commutes to annoying kiddy car seats.
Adjective
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Plant magnolias somewhere they will be protected from harsh winds, especially when buds or flowers are developing.
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Most clarifying shampoos tend to be a little harsh and drying, but this one is gentle and nourishing.
Verb
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That shift may help explain why some couples notice their partner’s scent bothering them more during periods of conflict.
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The chest pain that had been bothering her finally let up.
Verb
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Repairing Furniture There are few misfortunes greater than scratching a new piece of dark wood furniture.
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Unless Drury is just scratching the surface as a 26-year-old, his 27 points in 82 regular-season games aren’t as promising a sign as his postseason highlights.
Adjective
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If this World Cup has been trying for Iran, it’s been frustrating for Belgium, which hasn’t scored a goal of its own.
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The Netherlands are coming off a frustrating 2-2 draw against Japan and desperately need a win to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Adjective
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After a couple of rough shooting nights against Minnesota and Las Vegas, the Valkyries found their groove.
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Salicylic acid works deep within pores to tackle buildup, while lactic acid smooths rough texture and refines skin’s surface, leaving skin looking clearer and feeling smoother in just a few swipes.
Verb
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The necessity of the trip at all is what's been bugging me.
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His doctor had been bugging him for years to get a colonoscopy because of his age, but Driggers declined.
Verb
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Moore argues the city should be doing annual sand management, rather than scraping for funds and coming up short each time the larger-scale project comes around.
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Keeping the burners on high and using the scraping tool or a bench scraper, scrape at a roughly 45-degree angle to remove the rust or the stuck-on food.
Cite this Entry
“Irritating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritating. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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