: causing irritation
specifically
: tending to produce physical irritation
Synonyms
Examples of irritant in a Sentence
Noun
dust and other lung irritants
The delay was a minor irritant.
Recent Examples on the Web
Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 21 July 2024
Look for ways to reduce potential irritants in your baby's environment.
—Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 15 July 2024
Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 22 July 2024
The following are their names: Brian Sicknick died of a stroke the next day after being sprayed by a chemical irritant; Howard Liebengood died by suicide; Jeffrey Smith (hit by a metal pole, was never the same) died by suicide.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for irritant 
Noun
The crowd dispersed from the entrance when police sprayed them with chemical irritants.
—Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 21 July 2024
Look for ways to reduce potential irritants in your baby's environment.
—Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 15 July 2024
Adjective
Rashes are a visible sign of a medical condition or a reaction to an irritant, medication, or infection.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 22 July 2024
The following are their names: Brian Sicknick died of a stroke the next day after being sprayed by a chemical irritant; Howard Liebengood died by suicide; Jeffrey Smith (hit by a metal pole, was never the same) died by suicide.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for irritant
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'irritant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near irritant
Cite this Entry
“Irritant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irritant. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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