Synonym Chooser

How is the word irritate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of irritate are exasperate, nettle, peeve, provoke, and rile. While all these words mean "to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance," irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage.

constant nagging that irritated me greatly

When would exasperate be a good substitute for irritate?

The meanings of exasperate and irritate largely overlap; however, exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience.

his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions

When is nettle a more appropriate choice than irritate?

The words nettle and irritate can be used in similar contexts, but nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging.

your pompous attitude nettled several people

When might peeve be a better fit than irritate?

While the synonyms peeve and irritate are close in meaning, peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation.

a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie

When could provoke be used to replace irritate?

The words provoke and irritate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action.

remarks made solely to provoke her

When can rile be used instead of irritate?

In some situations, the words rile and irritate are roughly equivalent. However, rile implies inducing an angry or resentful agitation.

the new work schedules riled the employees

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 irritate These, in turn, can also irritate your digestive system. Caroline Tien, SELF, 5 May 2025 The net effect of Mr. Trump’s tilt toward Russia and dismantlement of U.S. institutions that have irritated Moscow is to undercut America’s position against a major adversary, argued David Shimer, a former Russia adviser to President Joseph R. Biden Jr. Peter Baker, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025 These ingredients can irritate the digestive tract, the bladder, or the teeth for people who are sensitive to them. Stacey Colino, Time, 1 May 2025 Chronic inflammation has been shown to irritate blood vessels and can lead to the hardening of fatty plaques in the lining of the arteries, which reduces blood flow to the heart. Liz Szabo, Scientific American, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for irritate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritate
Verb
  • But until Tuesday afternoon, four days out, there had been no announcement of what acts would be performing, or even where the show would be held The radio silence annoyed fans, who said so online.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025
  • Nearly one-half of Republicans (52%) are annoyed with how much attention is being paid to climate change vs. only 13% for Democrats.
    Robert G. Eccles, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Names scratched into the rusty walls are a bad sign.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025
  • When allergies affect feline skin, symptoms include scratching at their face and ears, scabs on their skin and fur loss.
    Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Or Xander Schauffele, the defending PGA champion who is surely not bothered by the lack of attention on him early this week.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • That doesn’t mean the implication doesn’t bother him.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • The links with current Saudi champions Al Hilal are genuine, and that should be the real concern for everyone at Old Trafford — not whether Fernandes is overrated, underrated or secretly wants to scrape his studs down Keane’s shins.
    Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • Video footage on social media shows the ship — flying a huge Mexican flag — scraping the underside and its masts collapsing onto the deck.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Curry is 37 and played Sunday with his right thumb wrapped in athletic tape, nursing an ailment that has bugged him all season.
    Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
  • And for me, nothing bugs me more than engaging in social activities to check the box rather than making meaningful connections.
    Time, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly chafed at being left out of the talks, prompting a growing war of words with Trump.
    Brett Samuels, The Hill, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Even then, within weeks, Trump began to chafe at the end to his economic boom, though not to the same extent as some Republican governors.
    W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Some of the journalists who were terminated on Thursday were from countries with repressive governments that persecute journalists for independent reporting, Mr. Abramowitz said in the email to employees on Thursday.
    Minho Kim, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • According to tradition, Peter traveled to Rome to spread the Christian message and was martyred there during the reign of the Emperor Nero, around 64 A.D., as Christians were being persecuted.
    Vanessa Gera, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • Eminem’s stalker was found guilty of first-degree home invasion and aggravated stalking after breaking into the rapper’s home outside of Detroit for a second time last summer, The Detroit News reports.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 9 May 2025
  • As a result, the clubs 12-26 start this season – 10 games off the pace of the front-running Chicago Cubs in the National League Central – aggravated the fan base.
    Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Irritate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritate. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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