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
An open window, your shoes, or even your clothing could bring in pollen or other outdoor irritants.
—
Angie Hicks, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Eight students were taken to the hospital Tuesday afternoon after someone sprayed a chemical irritant at South Shore International College Preparatory High School on Chicago's South Side.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
This product can turn into a big irritant if ingested or inhaled, and cause several digestive or respiratory issues.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
Natural solutions like baking soda mixed with essential oils or a light vinegar spray for odors and stains are gentler alternatives that avoid introducing new irritants into your sleep environment.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for irritant
Angie Hicks, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Eight students were taken to the hospital Tuesday afternoon after someone sprayed a chemical irritant at South Shore International College Preparatory High School on Chicago's South Side.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
This product can turn into a big irritant if ingested or inhaled, and cause several digestive or respiratory issues.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
Natural solutions like baking soda mixed with essential oils or a light vinegar spray for odors and stains are gentler alternatives that avoid introducing new irritants into your sleep environment.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for irritant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritant
Noun
-
Magic Mountain removed Revolution’s simple lap bars in 1992 and installed over-the-shoulder restraints — resulting in head-banging headaches for dismayed riders and making the coaster painfully unrideable.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
Some people dealing with the infection, called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), can have headaches, dizziness, chills and stomach problems.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
4 May 2026
Noun
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For a league still trying to grow its footprint, treating media availability like a nuisance is a curious growth strategy.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
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The second phase of the proceedings, known as a juryless bench trial, will establish over a three-week period if Meta’s actions created a public nuisance, thus warranting potential product changes.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
4 May 2026
Noun
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Naz Reid, the Wolves’ 6-9 backup center, has been a thorn in the Spurs’ side for several seasons.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Antonio Express-News,
3 May 2026
-
Collins has long been a thorn in the side of Democrats as well.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Most fans understand that the need for more professional-caliber resources wasn’t going to be met under Mohegan Tribe ownership, but there is deep frustration over the Sun’s relocation out of New England.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
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But for the residents and business-owners, the possibility of another set of G train outage evoked frustration after two years of service suspensions while crews worked to upgrade the signaling system on the Crosstown Line.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Compile receipts and expense notes Probably a major annoyance is uploading your receipts for reimbursement, but Dispatch handled that quickly.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
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Despite the annoyances, the smile is genuine.—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irritant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritant. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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