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
Too little, however, can cause otherwise harmless particles to dry out and become airborne irritants.
—
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Federal agents clashed with students and staff at the end of the school day, deploying chemical irritants and tackling several people in the encounter.
—Beret Leone, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
In that incident, federal agents deployed chemical irritants against protesters and observers in Mueller Park in the Lowry Hill East neighborhood of Minneapolis, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported.
—Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 2 Mar. 2026
Others, like the zero-talent hipster artist (Zach Woods) who refers to himself as the White Basquiat, are merely inconvenient irritants standing in Becket’s way to life on easy street.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
Taking steps to limit exposure to potential irritants like chemicals is also important.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
Volunteers spoke of the risks of verbal and physical confrontations with ICE agents, including the use of pepper spray and other irritants against observers and even arrests.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
This is because mold can produce irritants that bother those who have allergies, leading to sneezing, congestion, and rashes.
—Molly Burford, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026
Inflammation is your immune system's natural response to irritants, injuries, or infections.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 4 Feb. 2026
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Federal agents clashed with students and staff at the end of the school day, deploying chemical irritants and tackling several people in the encounter.
—Beret Leone, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
In that incident, federal agents deployed chemical irritants against protesters and observers in Mueller Park in the Lowry Hill East neighborhood of Minneapolis, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported.
—Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 2 Mar. 2026
Others, like the zero-talent hipster artist (Zach Woods) who refers to himself as the White Basquiat, are merely inconvenient irritants standing in Becket’s way to life on easy street.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
Taking steps to limit exposure to potential irritants like chemicals is also important.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
Volunteers spoke of the risks of verbal and physical confrontations with ICE agents, including the use of pepper spray and other irritants against observers and even arrests.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
This is because mold can produce irritants that bother those who have allergies, leading to sneezing, congestion, and rashes.
—Molly Burford, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026
Inflammation is your immune system's natural response to irritants, injuries, or infections.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritants
Noun
-
The high winds are causing headaches at Detroit Metro Airport as well as some of the nation's busiest airports, as dozens of delays and cancellations were reported on Monday.—
Julia Avant,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Too much carbon dioxide can cause headaches, dizziness and nausea.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Florida law shields shooting ranges, specifically, from being sued as nuisances.—
Christopher Spata,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Many of those surveyed said homelessness, loitering, drug use and public nuisances, along with protracted and intensive municipal construction projects, deter customers from visiting establishments.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But the suit filed in federal court a little over a year ago laid out his frustrations after applying to be captain and getting passed over for a white officer who, according to the suit, had about a third of the experience as supervisor in the department.—
Ken Lemon,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Within the Natomas Unified School District, frustrations grew on Tuesday as the strike had reached its seventh day with no date set for new talks.—
Madisen Keavy,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Get Tough Purchase ones made from cowhide, goatskin, or pigskin leather or abrasion-resistant canvas that will be harder for thorns to penetrate.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
-
These thorns, known as dendrites, have been difficult to study and understand – until now.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One of the great delights, but also slight annoyances of doing a show as popular as American Psycho, [is] that family, friends, everyone wants to see it.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Even little annoyances take away from our ability to enjoy what life has to offer.—
Barton Goldsmith,
AJC.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Despite the inconveniences, the snow brought many residents relief and joy.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Like his colleagues across the state, East Hartford schools Superintendent Thomas Anderson has to weigh all of those inconveniences when deciding whether to call off classes.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irritants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritants. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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