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
  • These can range from infidelity and intimidation to aggression and extreme violence.
    — David DeMatteo, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
  • On the other hand, Washington cannot allow Chinese aggression against its neighbors.
    — Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of aggression
Noun
  • Furthermore, CNNs are exceeding in disease detection and predicting disease aggressiveness and patient prognosis.
    — Esha Desai, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
  • So will the aggressiveness of the defender after giving up a rebound.
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of aggressiveness
Noun
  • Recently, anger at this collateral damage, heightened by the fish shortage, has evolved into a political movement.
    — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Medicaid reimbursement rate cuts anger foster care advocates and lawmakers.
    — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 23 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
  • The researchers conducted the tests from September 8 to 11, using different sensor configurations to assess the system’s sensitivity.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Howard called additionally for a public apology from UMD's tennis club, sensitivity training for players and a donation of tournament funds to a local museum focused on African American history.
    — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 15 Oct. 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
  • That does not mean that everyone who supports a ban is motivated by hostility toward women.
    — Jesse Rhodes, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Weil offers an extreme version of this hostility to the self.
    — James Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 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 24 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on irritability

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about irritability

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