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
Protesters in Minneapolis have since flooded the streets in the thousands, and ICE agents have responded by apprehending some, shoving others to the ground, and spraying chemical irritants in their faces.
—
Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
Federal agents also deployed chemical irritants at the crowd.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
The officers tackled people, handcuffed two staff members and released chemical irritants on bystanders, an official from the Minneapolis school told MPR.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
So mascaras with nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, and formulated without drying alcohol or irritants like parabens, will be your new go-tos.
—Shalwah Evans, Glamour, 31 Dec. 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, 23 Dec. 2025
The program was adapted to emphasize volunteers’ safety, advising them to wear more protective gear and consider bringing goggles or water to flush chemical irritants out of their eyes.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
Mucus is a natural slippery substance made in the body that protects against bacteria, viruses, and irritants, and keeps passages moist.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 29 Nov. 2025
Try to limit your exposure to environmental irritants like pollution, chemicals, biofuels and dust—both indoors and outdoors.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 20 Nov. 2025
Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
Federal agents also deployed chemical irritants at the crowd.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
The officers tackled people, handcuffed two staff members and released chemical irritants on bystanders, an official from the Minneapolis school told MPR.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
So mascaras with nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, and formulated without drying alcohol or irritants like parabens, will be your new go-tos.
—Shalwah Evans, Glamour, 31 Dec. 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, 23 Dec. 2025
The program was adapted to emphasize volunteers’ safety, advising them to wear more protective gear and consider bringing goggles or water to flush chemical irritants out of their eyes.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
Mucus is a natural slippery substance made in the body that protects against bacteria, viruses, and irritants, and keeps passages moist.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 29 Nov. 2025
Try to limit your exposure to environmental irritants like pollution, chemicals, biofuels and dust—both indoors and outdoors.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 20 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritants
Noun
-
From plane seatback organizers to carry-on cup holders, these accessories can save you from boarding delays and other headaches—starting at $9.—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The decades-old technology struggles to account for last-minute payroll changes and that can create all sorts of headaches for employees and departments alike.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The park doesn’t need all these associated nuisances.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2026
-
In Milwaukee, nuisances include loud music, loitering and littering.—
Quinn Clark,
jsonline.com,
25 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
There are no speakers in the songs of MJ Lenderman other than MJ Lenderman, whose diffidence and exhaustion are in all-too-perfect lockstep with the psychic frustrations of his listeners.—
Armin Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
-
After the third giveaway happened with six seconds left in the second quarter, Schaefer expressed his frustrations with his trademark jacket removal.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Teyana Taylor x Air Jordan 1, her first sneaker collaboration, released in 2023 with a predominantly red colorway featuring green thorns on its Swoosh and a massive removable gold-tone metal charm featuring her initials and a rose.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Make sure to wear leather gloves to protect your hands from rose thorns.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Congress used to debate authorizing such things, but with the GOP House and Senate now reduced to glorified White House staff offices, Trump need not trifle with such annoyances.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
2 Jan. 2026
-
Kiehl’s Hydration 2 The Max Set Winter can bring its fair share of skin annoyances and complications—namely, dry skin.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
28 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Fire access, water, traffic, parks and open space are treated like inconveniences, even as existing infrastructure already strains to keep up.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, petitioned for a pardon in 2024, pointing to how his convictions had created logistical issues and inconveniences in worldwide touring.—
Evan Mealins,
Nashville Tennessean,
18 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Irritants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritants. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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