irritating

adjective

ir·​ri·​tat·​ing ˈir-ə-ˌtā-tiŋ 

: causing displeasure, anger, or annoyance

an irritating noise/habit

I felt more and more angry. There was something very irritating and aggressive in Summerlee's demeanour.

—Arthur Conan Doyle

irritatingly

ˈir-ə-ˌtā-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

The computer was irritatingly slow.

Synonyms of irritating

• annoying
• frustrating
• disturbing

Examples of irritating in a Sentence

his particularly irritating habit of leaving his dirty clothes on the floor

this soap leaves a residue that might be a little irritating if you have sensitive skin

Recent Examples on the Web

Like nails on a chalkboard, whining—an irritating blend of talking and crying—has the ability to make almost any parent either lose their temper or cave. — Debby Waldman, Parents, 3 Aug. 2026

In fact, this is where our motivations become personal and perhaps even slightly irritating, especially if repressed emotions or sensitivities rise to the surface. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026

This fragrance- and silicone-free face sunscreen is a great choice for those with sensitive skin who want only non-irritating products. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026

December 22 – January 19 A small adjustment could make your whole day less irritating. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for irritating

• abdicating
• abrogating
• activating
• actuating
• advocating
• aggravating
• aggregating
• agitating
• allocating
• alternating
• animating
• annotating