irritability

noun

ˌir-ə-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce irritability (audio)
Definition of irritabilitynext
as in irritableness
readiness to show annoyance or impatience the librarian's well-known irritability makes students hesitant to ask questions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 irritability Some people also report low mood, irritability, or even depressed states. — Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2026 Showing distress or irritability when chatbot access is limited. — Megan Kelly, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026 Chronic irritability is another factor, sometimes tied to disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Hunger can amplify low moods, irritability and worry, which is not what any nervous child needs before walking into a new classroom. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for irritability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritability
  1. aggression
  2. aggressiveness
  3. anger
  4. crankiness
  5. sensitivity
  6. grouchiness
  7. petulance
  8. hostility
Noun
  • Large sections of chairs in the hall were empty as delegations filed out in protest of Iranian aggression.
    — Robin Wright, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026
  • These sensual glimmers are no match for the antagonistic sociality of straight male relationships, which, in this novel, quickly convert sympathy or desire into rivalry and aggression.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of aggression
Noun
  • Stunned at first by his opponent’s aggressiveness and the onslaught of personal attacks, Ted trains himself to withstand the barrages and to respond in kind.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Indeed, heads quickly began to turn as the Chicago Bears defensive tackle showed no fear and an abundance of aggressiveness.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of aggressiveness
Noun
  • Republican lawmakers -- many of them in tough election contests where soaring fuel costs are driving voter anger -- praised the agreement.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The defeat came amid protests sparked by an elderly woman’s eviction, and could deepen public anger and fuel speculation about early elections.
    — Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of anger
Noun
  • Common warning signs include thirst, tiredness and crankiness.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026
  • How to handle it A lot of Virgo’s crankiness can be soothed with helping them get organized and practice self-compassion.
    — Maressa Brown, Parents, 18 June 2026
Definition of crankiness
Noun
  • Goldman Sachs has little direct sensitivity to higher interest rates.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Children have a higher sensitivity to not just mold spores but also indoor dampness.
    — Rebecca Smullin Dawson, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of sensitivity
Noun
  • Vince Gilligan moved to Apple and returned to his X-Files roots for the sci-fi horror dramatic comedy Pluribus, which used its ultra-mysterious and yet ultra-familiar genre trappings for a droll meditation on the eternal clash between collective joy and individual grouchiness.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025
  • Emily is also struggling with Annabelle, who has inherited her mom’s attitude and the grouchiness of any adolescent forced to grow up with an Evolution Media camera crew in her home.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
Definition of grouchiness
Noun
  • Even Wilfried Zaha, with all his on-pitch petulance, never allowed standards to slip.
    — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Cusick and Kretschmann offer complementary chords of variable petulance and insecurity, as newcomer Cuoso ably negotiates her character’s shifting ambiguities.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 July 2026
Definition of petulance
Noun
  • The two sides reached an interim agreement in June and committed to trying to reach a final deal within 60 days, but the deadline passed after hostilities resumed.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Rohingya have faced growing public hostility in Malaysia due to their growing numbers, fueled by concerns over jobs, public services and security.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of hostility

Browse Nearby Words

irrigating
irritability
irritable
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Cite this Entry

“Irritability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritability. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on irritability

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about irritability

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