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

At one point, Mendoza recalled seeing the police push the protesters away from her storefront and deploying chemical irritants. —Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 14 June 2025

After a burn occurs, keeping the skin hydrated and avoiding irritants is key. —Amber Rambharose, Glamour, 12 June 2025

Adjective

An irritant hung heavy in the air after the incident at around 8:15 p.m. —Sarah Dean, NBC news, 10 June 2025

At least one law enforcement officer appeared to deploy a chemical irritant in response. —Minnesota Public Radio News, Twin Cities, 3 June 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