IRRITANTS Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

irritants

noun

plural of irritant

as in headaches

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

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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 irritants 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 Researchers documented officers tackling or pinning people to the ground and using chemical irritants, rubber bullets and tasers. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 July 2026 Stifling heat also can trap pollutants, smoke or other irritants, the American Lung Association said. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026 Doing so will increase the likelihood of heavy metal particles, which can carry lung irritants and carcinogens, being spread and inhaled. — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026 Exposure to other irritants, such as dust, chemicals and pollution, can also cause it. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026 And for little ones with whose cheeks might be chafed due to diaper rash, the Sweet Cheeks Diaper Paste helps seal out wetness and irritants to protect skin. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026 The sap contains irritants that create a blistering reaction upon contact with the skin. — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 21 June 2026 Trump regularly regales audiences with his prowess as a dealmaker by recounting conversations he's had with Macron about trade irritants, mimicking Macron's responses in an exaggerated accent. — ABC News, 15 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritants

Noun

Around one in 13 people experience recurring morning headaches, research suggests, with women and those between the ages of 45 and 64 more likely to have them.

— Kathleen Felton, Washington Post, 17 July 2026
As body temperature rises and humidity limits the body’s ability to cool itself, mild symptoms such as cramps and headaches can progress to shortness of breath, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and ultimately life-threatening heat stroke.

— Laura Schifter, Time, 17 July 2026

Definition of headaches

Noun

These seemingly minor nuisances are becoming a drain on municipal resources and complicating the rollout of robotaxi service.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 July 2026
Besides being nuisances, many types carry diseases including West Nile virus, encephalitis, and canine heartworm.

— Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 3 July 2026

Definition of nuisances

Noun

Rewarding The Long-Term Customer One of the most common frustrations in telecom is the belief that new customers get the best deals while long-term customers are left behind.

— Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Recent allegations of irregularities in government recruitment exams have only deepened frustrations among some young Indians.

— Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of frustrations

Noun

And as Jones notes, much of that is due to the actors who’ve thrown themselves into the characters, thorns and all.

— Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
Later, after a half-day tour to the nearby towns of Lampa and Pucará, the team made magic again, with a lunch in a forest of towering Puya raimondii, otherworldly bromeliads with thorns like piranha teeth.

— Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026

Definition of thorns

Noun

Everyday annoyances add up fast, but fixing them doesn’t have to break the bank.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2026
But at that point, the headlines were still focused on relatively benign annoyances like car engines conking out, or a bridge getting stuck on Roosevelt Road.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of annoyances

Noun

Delays, cancellations and other travel inconveniences can happen any time of the year, but getting travel insurance could be an especially good idea for your summer travel plans.

— Liz Knueven, CNBC, 14 July 2026
The latest comedic trend taking over social media involves people mocking Netflix-style documentaries with a specific prompt, usually tied to their trauma, niche inconveniences, major news events or unanswered questions in pop culture.

— Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 10 July 2026

Definition of inconveniences

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irritant

irritants

irritate

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“Irritants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritants. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of irritants

noun

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