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
Relevance
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
The tiny irritants Americans call chiggers are the larval stage of Trombiculidae mites.
—
Eva Flowe
june 11, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026
Vaginal and intimate health issues affect millions of women, often exacerbated by conventional products containing irritants, hormonal changes, menopause, cancer treatments, or imbalances in the vaginal microbiome.
—Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Kids with heavy exposure to polluted air, tobacco smoke, animal dander and other irritants may develop allergies at higher rates than others.
—Dr. Daniel Digiacomo, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026
Chlorine gas is poisonous and classified as a pulmonary irritant that has a distinct odor.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for irritant
Eva Flowe
june 11, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026
Vaginal and intimate health issues affect millions of women, often exacerbated by conventional products containing irritants, hormonal changes, menopause, cancer treatments, or imbalances in the vaginal microbiome.
—Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Kids with heavy exposure to polluted air, tobacco smoke, animal dander and other irritants may develop allergies at higher rates than others.
—Dr. Daniel Digiacomo, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026
Chlorine gas is poisonous and classified as a pulmonary irritant that has a distinct odor.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for irritant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritant
Noun
-
That’s when the real headache for businesses began, as customs checks, border controls and reams of paperwork came into force.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
-
But the move enabled Florida to lock in what will be one of the best top-six forward groups in the league, slotting Brady Tkachuck into the left wing spot on the second line alongside center Sam Bennett and right wing Matthew Tkachuk that will cause opponents major headaches.—
Eduardo A. Encina,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 June 2026
Noun
-
In May, Social Circle filed a lawsuit against DHS, arguing the agency violated federal environmental review requirements and Georgia public nuisance law while pursuing the project.—
CBS News Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
Besides being nuisances, many types carry diseases including West Nile virus, encephalitis, and canine heartworm.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Until Hoxha's break with Nikita Khrushchev's USSR, after the abjuration of Stalinism, Sazan was in Soviet hands, a thorn in the side of the West, a base for 12 Whiskey-class submarines and of chemical-biological weapons plants.—
Marzio G. Mian,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
-
However, some homeowners may be wary of planting roses because of their heavy thorns—especially in households with children or pets.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Those frustrations could be on the verge of boiling over.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
-
But without knowing the reasons behind those decisions, the criticism amounts to nothing more than frustrations over unmet expectations.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
23 June 2026
Noun
-
The Warriors don’t need a teenager who needs a map to find the weight room — some long-term project who turns tantalization into annoyance — just add time.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
24 June 2026
-
SpongeBob and his best friend Patrick show care and loyalty to each other, as well as conflict, annoyance, and repair.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
23 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irritant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritant. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
