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
Protests broke out in the city Saturday and armed border patrol agents deployed what appeared to be chemical irritants toward protesters.
—
Luke Barr, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2025
Lawson said Cal Fire makes N-95 masks available to those fighting fires, which can protect firefighters from particulate matter and certain irritants that cause Valley Fever, a fungal infection, Lawson said.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Clothes worn outside can carry pollen, dust and other irritants.
—Rhonda Conner-Warren, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
Most sneezes are triggered by contact with infectious agents or after inhaling irritants, but the cause of photic sneezing is not fully understood.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
The test identifies over 120 allergens, including food intolerances, environmental triggers, and household irritants.
—Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
This filtration system ensures that your floors are getting their most thorough clean, while also ridding your space of irritants like dust that can cause allergy flare-ups.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
Protective goggles or shatter-resistant glasses (for tear gas or irritants).
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Do not apply perfumes, deodorants, or other possible irritants before the procedure.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 27 Aug. 2025
Luke Barr, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2025
Lawson said Cal Fire makes N-95 masks available to those fighting fires, which can protect firefighters from particulate matter and certain irritants that cause Valley Fever, a fungal infection, Lawson said.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Clothes worn outside can carry pollen, dust and other irritants.
—Rhonda Conner-Warren, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
Most sneezes are triggered by contact with infectious agents or after inhaling irritants, but the cause of photic sneezing is not fully understood.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
The test identifies over 120 allergens, including food intolerances, environmental triggers, and household irritants.
—Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
This filtration system ensures that your floors are getting their most thorough clean, while also ridding your space of irritants like dust that can cause allergy flare-ups.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
Protective goggles or shatter-resistant glasses (for tear gas or irritants).
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Do not apply perfumes, deodorants, or other possible irritants before the procedure.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritants
Noun
-
And constant headaches coming from upstairs.—
David Hudnall,
Kansas City Star,
2 Oct. 2025
-
But that will not solve all their scheduling headaches.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Decades ago, marshes were considered nuisances, soggy flats to be drained, dried, and made waterproof with liberal coatings of asphalt.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Protests in Morocco and Madagascar, two disparate and distant African countries, highlight the younger generation’s frustrations over enduring years of poor governance.—
Greg Dixon,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Two days later, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Carr voiced his frustrations over Kimmel's comments and ABC temporarily pulled Kimmel from the air, while broadcasters Sinclair and Nexstar continued to preempt the show following its return on Sept 23.—
Kirsty Hatcher,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Since his introduction in Peacemaker’s first season, the sarcastic, Cheeto-devouring martial arts expert has been one of the sharpest thorns in the sides of the 11th Street Kids.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
3 Oct. 2025
-
One was treated for minor injuries, likely from rose-bush thorns, Christensen said.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
One of my long-standing annoyances with macOS was the lack of control over the menu bar.—
Edward Mendelson,
PC Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Minor annoyances suddenly widen into a chasm neither can cross.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Forget about the inconveniences and disruption of control and logistics that coach Andy Reid typically is so adamant about.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Because eventually, these small inconveniences pale in comparison to the greater goals and purposes that your club gives you.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Irritants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritants. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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