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 By day, apnea shows up as the kind of sleepiness coffee cannot fix, morning headaches, trouble concentrating and short-fuse irritability. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2026 Eating earlier than noon could lead to hunger before dinner, while waiting too long to eat lunch may increase fatigue or irritability. — Trista Chan, HEALTH, 17 Aug. 2026 Some people also report low mood, irritability, or even depressed states. — Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2026 Chronic irritability is another factor, sometimes tied to disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 11 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
  • UConn, perhaps feeding off the homecourt-like vibes in the building, maintained a blend of poise and aggression.
    — Matt Langone, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2026
  • This brain area is known to be involved in fear and defense responses and aggression.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of aggression
Noun
  • Shingleton had four quarterback hits including two sacks as Hart struggled to match the Royals’ aggressiveness at the line of scrimmage.
    — Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Tight end Isaiah Likely said Harbaugh’s aggressiveness to add to the roster is welcome considering what the team has shown so far.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of aggressiveness
Noun
  • That anger essentially becomes Dylan’s oxygen by the end of the run.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The plot of Godzilla Minus Zero is a whirl of characters trying to redeem themselves for their past mistakes, or feeling so much anger toward an aggressor that their own moral compasses go awry.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 6 Nov. 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
  • Remaining awake late also coincides with the hours when human insulin sensitivity is at its lowest.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The Action Button has proved somewhat controversial since its release, with users on social media like Reddit criticizing its placement and sensitivity.
    — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 7 Nov. 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
  • The racket clanged off the metal bar and didn’t injure any fans, but the crowd audibly gasped at Atmane’s petulance, as the racket didn’t miss them by much.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Even Wilfried Zaha, with all his on-pitch petulance, never allowed standards to slip.
    — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of petulance
Noun
  • The group said its count was based on death records explicitly coded as resulting from hostilities or their consequences.
    — Elsa Ohlen,Matthew Tan, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Attacks continued, despite a peace agreement The government struck a peace agreement with Tigrayan rebels in 2022, ending most hostilities, but attacks on healthcare continued.
    — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 10 Nov. 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 13 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on irritability

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about irritability

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