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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of irritant
Most have been peaceful, but some have led to clashes with law enforcement as officers made arrests and used chemical irritants and less-lethal weapons to disperse crowds.
—
Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
One thing the trade war with China has not done, however, is lower the U.S. trade deficit, one of the biggest irritants to Trump.
—Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Reducing exposure to irritants like chlorine can be helpful there.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 9 July 2025
Many have been peaceful, but some have resulted in clashes with law enforcement as officers made arrests and used chemical irritants to disperse crowds.
—Khaleda Rahman
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for irritant
Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
One thing the trade war with China has not done, however, is lower the U.S. trade deficit, one of the biggest irritants to Trump.
—Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Reducing exposure to irritants like chlorine can be helpful there.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 9 July 2025
Many have been peaceful, but some have resulted in clashes with law enforcement as officers made arrests and used chemical irritants to disperse crowds.
—Khaleda Rahman
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for irritant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritant
Noun
-
While the flu shot can cause redness and soreness at the injection site, as well as fever, muscle aches, headache and fatigue, FluMist can cause flu-like symptoms, including runny nose, congestion, sore throat, cough, fever, and muscle aches.—
Alice Park,
Time,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Residents report constant running noses, headaches and sore throats.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
One player in particular, Nick Bosa, is serving as a welcome nuisance to get Purdy ready for this season.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
1 Aug. 2025
-
If hosts are found to advertise as a party location or become a chronic nuisance to the neighborhood, Airbnb may remove the listing or force the host to update occupancy numbers.—
Keely Doll,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Nearly ten months later, that tycoon Jimmy Lai – a pro-democracy firebrand and persistent thorn in Beijing’s side – remains behind bars.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Turnover remains a thorn in the retail industry’s side.—
Michael Spataro,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Trump in recent weeks has expressed frustration with Russia as the war continues, and Friday's meeting could have key implication for peace talks as well as Russia-U.S. relations.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
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Trump's frustration with Putin appeared to be building as Moscow expanded its ground and long-range strike operations in recent months.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But 20 near the ware washing area crosses the line from annoyance to swarm.—
David J. Neal
August 1,
Miami Herald,
1 Aug. 2025
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The president has attempted to tamp down questions about the case, expressing annoyance that people are still talking about it six years after Epstein's death.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Irritant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritant. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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