as in headache
something that is a source of irritation
the whining child was a constant irritant to his long-suffering parents
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of irritant
Later in the video, officers deploy chemical irritants in the street as a number of other people shout, honk their horns or stand around filming the scene on their phones.
—
Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Protests outside detention facility Outside the detention center on Wednesday, Texas state police deployed chemical irritants toward protesters, who had gathered in support of the detainees being held at the facility.
—Valerie Gonzalez, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026
Tear gas is an umbrella term for various types of irritants.
—Minneapolis Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
More often than not, sneezing is due to respiratory infections, foreign bodies that have gotten into the nasal passages, or various irritants found in the environment.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for irritant
Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Protests outside detention facility Outside the detention center on Wednesday, Texas state police deployed chemical irritants toward protesters, who had gathered in support of the detainees being held at the facility.
—Valerie Gonzalez, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026
Tear gas is an umbrella term for various types of irritants.
—Minneapolis Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
More often than not, sneezing is due to respiratory infections, foreign bodies that have gotten into the nasal passages, or various irritants found in the environment.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for irritant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritant
Noun
-
Think peachy-bright, brunchy, and a little flirty without the headache.—
Lanee Lee,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Sonny Fouts, 71, has had a headache, stomachache and trouble sleeping since seeing news reports that the 37-year-old ICU nurse had been fatally shot by ICE agents Saturday, the vet and retired musician told People.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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If fruit flies are a minor nuisance, BHG home pros recommend these strategies to get rid of fruit flies.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Jan. 2026
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As a recent Forbes Finance Council analysis argues, regulation is not a nuisance to be worked around but a moat to be built—one that rewards fintechs willing to trade short-term speed for long-term trust and defensibility.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Makeup removal can sometimes feel like a thorn in your side, especially when heavy, waterproof formulas are standing in the way.—
Tatayana Yomary,
Essence,
28 Jan. 2026
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In the seventeenth century, the Dutch East India’s colony at Cape Town subjected indigenous people who hoped to trade with their soldiers, sailors, and farmers to different rules and planted thorn bushes to keep them out of the European settlement.—
Eve Fairbanks,
The Dial,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Republican ends Minnesota governor bid over immigration enforcement Chris Madel, a Republican, ended his campaign for Minnesota governor after less than two months, citing frustration with the party and the way federal officials have carried out immigration operations in the state.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
28 Jan. 2026
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Now, nearly in February, frustration and isolation are growing for Rowland and fellow residents.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Apple has been working to eliminate the inner screen’s visible crease, a longtime annoyance of the category.—
Chris Welch,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
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That said, your annoyance is also valid.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irritant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritant. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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