as in headaches
something that is a source of irritation
the whining child was a constant irritant to his long-suffering parents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of irritants
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
The judge issued restrictions that include barring agents from using chemical irritants.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Chemical irritants affect the eyes, skin and lungs first, causing scratches to the surface of the eye, painful skin reactions, breathing difficulties and acute psychological distress.
—Michele Heisler, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
Inflammation is your immune system's natural response to irritants, injuries, or infections.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 4 Feb. 2026
Outside the detention center on Wednesday, Texas state police deployed chemical irritants toward protesters, who had gathered in support of the detainees being held at the facility.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
Have protective goggles or shatter-resistant glasses (for tear gas or irritants).
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Protests outside detention facility Outside the detention center on Wednesday, Texas state police deployed chemical irritants toward protesters, who had gathered in support of the detainees being held at the facility.
—Valerie Gonzalez, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026
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
The judge issued restrictions that include barring agents from using chemical irritants.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Chemical irritants affect the eyes, skin and lungs first, causing scratches to the surface of the eye, painful skin reactions, breathing difficulties and acute psychological distress.
—Michele Heisler, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
Inflammation is your immune system's natural response to irritants, injuries, or infections.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 4 Feb. 2026
Outside the detention center on Wednesday, Texas state police deployed chemical irritants toward protesters, who had gathered in support of the detainees being held at the facility.
—Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
Have protective goggles or shatter-resistant glasses (for tear gas or irritants).
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Protests outside detention facility Outside the detention center on Wednesday, Texas state police deployed chemical irritants toward protesters, who had gathered in support of the detainees being held at the facility.
—Valerie Gonzalez, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritants
Noun
-
These include smart finds for meal prep, cooking, and cleaning—because there’s no shortage of everyday kitchen headaches to solve.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The change could also prompt state governments to roll out a patchwork of their own regulations, adding a new layer of compliance headaches for automakers, utilities, and other companies.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Barry said the new penalties are being enacted to coincide with the town’s passage of new rules dealing with nuisances and stormwater issues.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Jody Allen should not appear on a list of the NFL’s biggest nuisances.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But the focus on value has caused frustrations at times among parts of the chain's operator base.—
Kate Rogers,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Here are some of the pettiest, most unimportant frustrations so far.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
According to fashion reporter Jarrod Jenkins, who shared a video of the event on his Instagram, Taylor said the theme of her previous Air Jordan 1 Zoom Cmft collaboration was centered around the rose, while the new Air Jordan 3 project hones in on the thorns.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
1 Feb. 2026
-
These territorial thorns aside, Zelensky has said a proposed three-way split of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant between the US, Russia and Ukraine remains a big stumbling block.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Cold-weather conditions can be a unique challenge even for the most meticulous cleaner, but a few adjustments can help prevent minor annoyances from becoming persistent problems.—
Katie Cloyd,
Martha Stewart,
4 Feb. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
The venues in Beijing were mostly empty, and the teams were isolated from each other, subject to daily COVID tests and other inconveniences that put a notable damper on the experience.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
11 Feb. 2026
-
There's an affluent half of the population whose financial lives aren't disrupted by momentary inconveniences.—
Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irritants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritants. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
