irritating 1 of 2

adjective

ˈir-ə-ˌtā-tiŋ How to pronounce irritating (audio)
Definition of irritatingnext
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
2
as in harsh
causing an unpleasant tingling sensation this soap leaves a residue that might be a little irritating if you have sensitive skin

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

irritating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of irritate
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
2
as in scratching
to make sore by continued rubbing new shoes usually irritate my feet

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of irritating
Adjective
Another slightly irritating quirk is that the top only stays open for 9 seconds. — Abbey Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Sep. 2026 Mars in your sign challenges disciplined Saturn, creating the deeply irritating experience of feeling motivated and blocked at the same time. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
Tactics such as ragebait have only added to the fatigue, irritating enthusiasts already frustrated by the relentless churn of slop. — Amy Francombe, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026 The Jazz played overzealous defense Tuesday, irritating Nikola Jokic enough to pick up an amusing preseason technical foul at one point. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for irritating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritating
  1. annoying
  2. harsh
  3. bothering
  4. scratching
  5. frustrating
  6. rough
  7. bugging
  8. scraping
Adjective
  • Imagine a congressional coalition formed by kicking out the lawmakers, on either side, who are annoying—the Ted Cruzes and the John Fettermans.
    — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Indeed, the survey showed that use of the horn is the most common action when drivers consider another driver to be annoying or angering them.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of annoying
Adjective
  • However, perovskites are notoriously vulnerable to moisture and harsh chemical environments, posing a clear problem in seawater.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
  • With another harsh winter approaching, those still there face death from hunger or disease.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of harsh
Verb
  • His work is autobiographical and based on whatever has been bothering him that year.
    — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • For example, companies that benefit from customers not bothering to cancel subscriptions, compare prices, or search for better deals have taken a beating in recent weeks.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of bothering
Verb
  • Lee is forever grunting and scratching and clearing his throat.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
  • People are advised to watch for signs of rodent activity including droppings, gnaw marks, scratching or scurrying sounds and rub marks along baseboards or around entry points.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado Updated October 21, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of scratching
Adjective
  • The result can be a frustrating cycle in which borrowers repeatedly pay down balances only to rebuild them when another expense arises.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • And the amount that show business and comedy have changed — the strikes and mergers and COVID and the rest of it — has been really frustrating.
    — Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of frustrating
Adjective
  • The Pistons have raced out to a hot start, while the Knicks are still searching for answers after a rough opening week.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Molcajetes constructed of lava rock with pits creating a rough and not smooth nor easily cleanable surface were in the facility.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of rough
Verb
  • The Department of Justice’s prosecution of a Saudi national for allegedly bugging an OpenAI conference room is causing anxiety among OpenAI employees, many of whom are foreign nationals.
    — Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • On Monday, a court granted the US government’s request to deny release of a former OpenAI engineer accused of bugging a top-secret conference room to steal the frontier lab’s secrets.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of bugging
Verb
  • Cream on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes, scraping once or twice.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The Thunder were scraping the rotational barrel hard enough on Monday against the Phoenix Suns that rookie two-way Josh Dix played 10 straight minutes in the second half.
    — John Hollinger, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of scraping

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Cite this Entry

“Irritating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritating. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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