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

Common triggers include environmental allergens, foods, and skin irritants. —Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 28 Mar. 2025

In fact, the brand follows the National Eczema Association's ingredient guidelines to avoid irritants and allergens. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025

Adjective

What To Know The Center for Countering Disinformation, a branch of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said on Wednesday that Russia was using CS gas, an irritant chemical, in its Shahed explosive drones. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025

Cubs fans of a certain age look at a four-year playoff drought as a minor irritant, a mere blip in their timeline of Cubbing. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2025

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