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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Recent Examples of irritants
According to Harvard Health, those concerns usually center on irritants, endocrine disruptors and potential carcinogens.
—
Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026
Asked about Valdez, Bis said law enforcement deployed chemical irritants including pepper balls, but not rubber bullets, after agitators attempted to breach the perimeter at Glass House Farms.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
For decades, scientists assumed the primary purpose of sneezing was simply to expel irritants from the upper airway.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Federal agents also tackled several people and deployed chemical irritants at Roosevelt High School in south Minneapolis.
—Beret Leone, CBS News, 11 May 2026
Caffeine, alcohol and certain acidic or spicy foods can act as bladder irritants for some people.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 1 May 2026
An open window, your shoes, or even your clothing could bring in pollen or other outdoor irritants.
—Angie Hicks, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Many older people suffer from symptoms that resemble pollen allergies—runny nose and congestion—but the majority of these seniors are actually bothered by other airborne irritants, such as cigarette smoke, perfumes or cleaning products.
—Matt Fuchs, Scientific American, 15 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
Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026
Asked about Valdez, Bis said law enforcement deployed chemical irritants including pepper balls, but not rubber bullets, after agitators attempted to breach the perimeter at Glass House Farms.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
For decades, scientists assumed the primary purpose of sneezing was simply to expel irritants from the upper airway.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Federal agents also tackled several people and deployed chemical irritants at Roosevelt High School in south Minneapolis.
—Beret Leone, CBS News, 11 May 2026
Caffeine, alcohol and certain acidic or spicy foods can act as bladder irritants for some people.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 1 May 2026
An open window, your shoes, or even your clothing could bring in pollen or other outdoor irritants.
—Angie Hicks, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Many older people suffer from symptoms that resemble pollen allergies—runny nose and congestion—but the majority of these seniors are actually bothered by other airborne irritants, such as cigarette smoke, perfumes or cleaning products.
—Matt Fuchs, Scientific American, 15 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritants
Noun
-
People there in the 1970s were getting sick with symptoms like severe fatigue, headaches, skin rashes and swollen knees.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
-
Persistent headaches, scratchy throats and that foggy, fatigued feeling that never quite lifts may not be a virus or seasonal pollen.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
For buyers whose lives are otherwise optimized to the point of abstraction, taking on those tangible nuisances can feel almost noble.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2026
-
Japanese beetles and slugs are pesky nuisances that will go after the basil in your garden.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Fried issued her statement to the Herald in response to questions about frustrations with the party’s silence on Wasserman Schultz’s run.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
-
Those frustrations turned to elation last summer when not only did Uzbekistan finally qualify, but did so with a game to spare when edging out the United Arab Emirates and Qatar in their group.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Others may even have thorns, so thornless trees like the captivator are quite popular.—
Emily Hayes,
Martha Stewart,
10 June 2026
-
Some have thorns or spines, others have poisonous leaves or berries, and still others have…elaborate chemical defense alarm systems?—
Regina G. Barber,
NPR,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Being in the same room can make issues worse, with choosing what to watch on television and snoring being the biggest annoyances.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
Adriana Toro, assistant director of the Highway and Bridge Maintenance Division in Broward County — a division which includes Mosquito Control — said there are some simple things people can do to help cut mosquito annoyances.—
Amaia Gavica,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The World Cup’s arrival in South Florida comes with some inconveniences for drivers.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
-
While the beach has no facilities—not even trash bins or bathrooms—its turquoise water and soft, nearly pink sand more than make up for any inconveniences.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irritants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritants. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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