irritating

adjective

ir·​ri·​tat·​ing ˈir-ə-ˌtā-tiŋ How to pronounce irritating (audio)
Synonyms of irritatingnext
: 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 adverb
The computer was irritatingly slow.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rather than focusing on clarity with harsh actives, a key component to the glass skin trend is using gentle, non-irritating ingredients that take your skin to a healthier state. Christa Joanna Lee, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026 Caustic soda crystals cannot be ingested; baking soda is edible and non-irritating. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026 The gentle cream is designed for daily use and is fragrance-free and non-irritating. Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026 The power plant doesn’t just sound irritating, nearby homeowners say. Bracey Harris, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for irritating

Word History

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irritating was in 1707

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Irritating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irritating. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on irritating

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster