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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of irritants
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
Chemicals from the fire include respiratory irritants, toxic gases, carcinogens and at least one neurotoxin, according to the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services.
—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
The tiny irritants Americans call chiggers are the larval stage of Trombiculidae mites.
—
Eva Flowe
june 11,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
Vaginal and intimate health issues affect millions of women, often exacerbated by conventional products containing irritants, hormonal changes, menopause, cancer treatments, or imbalances in the vaginal microbiome.
—
Tanya Akim,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Kids with heavy exposure to polluted air, tobacco smoke, animal dander and other irritants may develop allergies at higher rates than others.
—
Dr. Daniel Digiacomo,
Boston Herald,
7 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
Caffeine, alcohol and certain acidic or spicy foods can act as bladder irritants for some people.
—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
1 May 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
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Chemicals from the fire include respiratory irritants, toxic gases, carcinogens and at least one neurotoxin, according to the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services.
—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
The tiny irritants Americans call chiggers are the larval stage of Trombiculidae mites.
—
Eva Flowe
june 11,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
Vaginal and intimate health issues affect millions of women, often exacerbated by conventional products containing irritants, hormonal changes, menopause, cancer treatments, or imbalances in the vaginal microbiome.
—
Tanya Akim,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Kids with heavy exposure to polluted air, tobacco smoke, animal dander and other irritants may develop allergies at higher rates than others.
—
Dr. Daniel Digiacomo,
Boston Herald,
7 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
Caffeine, alcohol and certain acidic or spicy foods can act as bladder irritants for some people.
—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
1 May 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritants
Noun
-
But the departures are often bigger PR headaches than operational ones.
-
But the move enabled Florida to lock in what will be one of the best top-six forward groups in the league, slotting Brady Tkachuck into the left wing spot on the second line alongside center Sam Bennett and right wing Matthew Tkachuk that will cause opponents major headaches.
Noun
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Besides being nuisances, many types carry diseases including West Nile virus, encephalitis, and canine heartworm.
-
If the nuisances continue at Albany Care, the city is seeking a court order to shut the facility down, separate from the state action.
Noun
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Those frustrations could be on the verge of boiling over.
-
South Africa has a history of xenophobic violence as migrants from poor nations like Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi generally end up settling in impoverished communities in South Africa where unemployment and frustrations are high.
Noun
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However, some homeowners may be wary of planting roses because of their heavy thorns—especially in households with children or pets.
-
Often reaching up to six feet tall, these bushes, also known as brambles, have sharp thorns covering their branches.
Noun
-
From everyday disruptions to other inconveniences and (perhaps) annoyances, things pop up.
-
These scams are not random annoyances.
Noun
-
There have been reports that some locals are not thrilled with Lipa and Turner’s takeover of their city, which has resulted in road closures and other inconveniences.
-
From everyday disruptions to other inconveniences and (perhaps) annoyances, things pop up.
Cite this Entry
“Irritants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritants. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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