IRRITANT Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

irritant

noun

ˈir-ə-tənt

Definition of irritant

as in headache

something that is a source of irritation the whining child was a constant irritant to his long-suffering parents

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 irritant It’s made from fabrics that are tightly woven or antimicrobial and can prevent irritants from settling into the fabric. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 18 July 2026 Smoke causes inflammation by triggering the body’s immune system to go into overtime to fight the irritant. — Seth Borenstein, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026 Smoke can trigger inflammation in different parts of the body, often attacking a person’s weakest points, which can then cascade into different effects of an immune system trying to fight a nasty irritant, doctors and scientists said. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2026 Researchers documented officers tackling or pinning people to the ground and using chemical irritants, rubber bullets and tasers. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for irritant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritant

Noun

Because for sports spread thin across multiple broadcasters, and fewer bars, the headache for fans is only getting sharper.

— Leo MacLehose, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026
Typhus symptoms develop one to two weeks after a person becomes infected, and can include fever, headache, body aches, chills, rash, nausea and vomiting.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Definition of headache

Noun

Some of the houses are abandoned and have become unsightly neighborhood nuisances.

— Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026
One of the taxes in Connecticut that has been decried by critics as a nuisance is the car tax, which is a property tax on the value of automobiles that can differ sharply from town to town.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026

Definition of nuisance

Noun

Over the past few months, SmackDown newcomer Gunther has been a thorn in the side of the blue brand’s General Manager Nick Aldis, even physically attacking him on more than one occasion.

— Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
However, no amount of personal story can pluck out the thorn in our side that Janet versus Danny.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 30 July 2026

Definition of thorn

Noun

Big brands, which are highly sensitive to public pressure, have become an easy target for frustration.

— Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Early today, the Pisces Moon may stir private doubts or behind-the-scenes frustration as Venus highlights work and wellness .

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of frustration

Browse Nearby Words

irritableness

irritant

irritants

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Style

“Irritant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritant. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of irritant

noun

Example Sentences

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