1
as in annoying
causing annoyance
his particularly irritating habit of leaving his dirty clothes on the floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in bothering
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
constant chatter irritated the student, who was trying to concentrate on a hard assignment
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of irritating
Adam Kirsch,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
And compared with stronger anti-aging ingredients like retinoids or chemical exfoliants, copper peptides are generally considered less irritating and are often well-tolerated by sensitive skin.
—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
People prone to heartburn or acid reflux may also find lemon water irritating, especially on an empty stomach.
—
Lynn Andriani,
Martha Stewart,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for irritating
Adjective
The post carried neither hereditary title nor extraordinary fortune, and yet it was regarded with a degree of respect that many noble families found faintly irritating.
—
Adam Kirsch,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
And compared with stronger anti-aging ingredients like retinoids or chemical exfoliants, copper peptides are generally considered less irritating and are often well-tolerated by sensitive skin.
—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Verb
Residents have been advised that the smoke may be irritating, especially for groups who are sensitive to air quality.
—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
People prone to heartburn or acid reflux may also find lemon water irritating, especially on an empty stomach.
—
Lynn Andriani,
Martha Stewart,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for irritating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritating
Adjective
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Scam texts are annoying for everyone.
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Others have blamed everything from feminism and long work commutes to annoying kiddy car seats.
Adjective
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Plant magnolias somewhere they will be protected from harsh winds, especially when buds or flowers are developing.
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Most clarifying shampoos tend to be a little harsh and drying, but this one is gentle and nourishing.
Verb
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That shift may help explain why some couples notice their partner’s scent bothering them more during periods of conflict.
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The chest pain that had been bothering her finally let up.
Verb
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In April, when Rojas got news that his father had been rushed to the hospital, Roberts quickly took the decision on whether to play out of Rojas’ hands, scratching him from the lineup.
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Drug companies are experimenting with other approaches called MRGPRX2 blockers that target the pathway Kaplan’s team linked to scratching.
Adjective
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So with that, that is extremely frustrating to, to members of Congress, especially Senate Republicans who think legislation like the bipartisan housing bill is good for voters heading into the midterms.
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But months later, Feldstein Soto’s office still hasn’t executed the contracts, frustrating tenants rights advocates and the nonprofits, which are struggling to pay their staff without the funds from the city.
Adjective
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After a couple of rough shooting nights against Minnesota and Las Vegas, the Valkyries found their groove.
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Salicylic acid works deep within pores to tackle buildup, while lactic acid smooths rough texture and refines skin’s surface, leaving skin looking clearer and feeling smoother in just a few swipes.
Verb
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The necessity of the trip at all is what's been bugging me.
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His doctor had been bugging him for years to get a colonoscopy because of his age, but Driggers declined.
Verb
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But this adjustable Oxo measuring cup will save you time that would otherwise be spent scraping every last bit of peanut butter from the measuring cup.
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If cinema is a sinking vessel, as so many are eager to suggest, its rusty hull may yet contain treasures worth scraping off and scrutinizing anew.
Cite this Entry
“Irritating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritating. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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