IRRITABLE Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

irritable

adjective

ˈir-ə-tə-bəl

Definition of irritable

as in fiery

easily irritated or annoyed that irritable old man always yells at people to stay off of his lawn

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 irritable As the fascination with Ernetti grows into something unhealthy, Béatrice subtly grows more tired, more distracted, more irritable and desperate for answers, small changes Sellier conveys with a smart sense of restraint. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2026 The product immediately calmed down my irritable, rosacea-prone skin while delivering intense hydration that lasted all day. — Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 31 Aug. 2026 How skipping breakfast affects kids at school Nemours KidsHealth reports that kids who miss the morning meal often feel tired, restless or irritable by midmorning. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026 Skipping meals can negatively affect blood sugar levels and leave you feeling hungry, irritable, and unable to pay attention. — Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for irritable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritable

Adjective

Statewide Democratic contenders delivered fiery appeals, recording artist Janelle Monáe brought a bass-thumping performance and the Clark Atlanta University marching band nearly brought down the house.

— Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Remembering Dolores Huerta The fiery and resolute activist who helped launch and guide the nation’s first enduring labor union for poor farmworkers, and later became an inspiration to women and liberal true believers, has died.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of fiery

Adjective

The national press doesn't mention it much these days, but President Obama was being a little snappish himself all those years ago.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
But even a young woman struggling with the patriarchal conundrum of cool-girl syndrome (to be independent and accepted) might reveal more of a snappish turn of mind than Grace does.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026

Definition of snappish

Adjective

The irascible Atmane then took his frustrations out on the net, smashing his racket on the net cord three times.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Others, like his irascible Celebrity Jeopardy standout Sean Connery, are the uncanny product of masterful tinkering, with Hammond eventually stretching the real and the perceived into a shape as recognizable as the actual figure himself.

— Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of irascible

Adjective

Breakfast with the Grinch brings the belovedly grumpy character to the table for waffle stations, cookie decorating and plenty of festive photo ops.

— Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2026
Fear not, as the country has finally introduced a rulebook for leasing grumpy, humpy dromedaries.

— Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of grumpy

Adjective

Instead of headline-making beefs that stand the test of time, today’s critics might be the subject of a petulant DM or a horde-summoning quote tweet.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 3 Nov. 2026
Trowbridge is a petulant blowhard, and has been such a fun foil to Kate over the years.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of petulant

Adjective

For the priests, this was a case of demonic possession due to witch-craft, and Mary’s crabby, aloof neighbor Elizabeth Jackson was the prime witch suspect.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
The show followed the destitute Cuylers — father Early, his illegitimate son Rusty, his meth-loving sister Lily, and his crabby grandmother Granny — and their various moneymaking high jinks.

— Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026