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
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
That means every room your kids sleep, play and eat in gets a fresh dose of dust particles and irritants — especially important if anyone in the house has allergies or asthma.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
Trump is shrugging them off, entering a state of weightlessness where all thought of consequences and all concern for mundane irritants like inflation and affordability are left behind.
—Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 2026
Vines that contain irritants should also not be added to the compost pile or burned because the smoke can be toxic.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
Poor ventilation in office buildings, along with tight quarters and air filters that aren’t regularly cleaned or replaced, can allow dust, allergens, and other irritants to build up—potentially contributing to dry eyes, skin irritation, or dull-looking skin.
—Allison Forsyth, Health, 8 Apr. 2026
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
That means every room your kids sleep, play and eat in gets a fresh dose of dust particles and irritants — especially important if anyone in the house has allergies or asthma.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
Trump is shrugging them off, entering a state of weightlessness where all thought of consequences and all concern for mundane irritants like inflation and affordability are left behind.
—Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 2026
Vines that contain irritants should also not be added to the compost pile or burned because the smoke can be toxic.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
Poor ventilation in office buildings, along with tight quarters and air filters that aren’t regularly cleaned or replaced, can allow dust, allergens, and other irritants to build up—potentially contributing to dry eyes, skin irritation, or dull-looking skin.
—Allison Forsyth, Health, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritants
Noun
-
The real story behind one of Texas’ biggest wildlife headaches starts with a decision the state made on purpose.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Some journalists draw a line between the government's mounting headaches and its escalating attacks on the messengers of that news.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Previous modernization efforts The airport has previously suffered from a host of issues that have proved nuisances for travelers, including green liquid falling from the ceiling and broken escalators.—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
As a bonus, these plants are generally deer resistant, which may keep these nuisances from crossing over the garden border.—
Haniya Rae,
Martha Stewart,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Not all of Reform’s support stems from frustrations of urban decay.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
6 May 2026
-
Instead, each character has her own distinct personality, her own specific frustrations with her life, and her own approach to working through those issues in song.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Also known as seaberry, Fried says this plant is notable for its resistance to deer because of its sharp thorns and tree-like height.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Use clean pruners to trim away shoots, thorns, or roots along the soil and to help maintain the tree’s size.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Nothing can turn these joyful moments into annoyances faster than a swarm of bugs showing up uninvited.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
-
Despite the annoyances, the smile is genuine.—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These are not small inconveniences.—
Linh Tat,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
The modern world forces us to waste time doing cost-benefit analyses of various inconveniences.—
Caroline Mimbs Nyce,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irritants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritants. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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