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 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 Bill Murray plays Phil Connors, an irritable, cynical weatherman sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to report a story about the town’s quaint groundhog ceremony. — David Faris, TheWeek, 10 Aug. 2026 Whether a balanced market can be achieved with competing cartels will be an interesting experiment in a sometimes-irritable trade relationship. — Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for irritable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritable

Adjective

The September full moon, commonly known as the harvest moon, is almost here, bringing a fiery burst of energy as the fall season gets underway.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
The fiery crash in the 6500 block of Nova Drive east of College Avenue involved a utility pole and caused a power outage in the area.

— Miami Herald staff, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of fiery

Adjective

Elle Fanning stars as a wickedly mischievous Catherine, with Nicholas Hoult in the dual role of her husband, the petulant manchild Emperor Peter III, and his body double, Yemelyan Pugachev.

— Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
As a talk-show host and media personality, her sometimes petulant, relentlessly flirtatious energy was a thrilling throwback to the likes of Rosie O’Donnell or Alan Carr’s chat shows.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 3 Sep. 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