1
as in annoys
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
constant chatter irritated the student, who was trying to concentrate on a hard assignment
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Recent Examples of irritates
The group exhausts and irritates opposing pitchers.
—
Andy McCullough, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
During his appearance on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast alongside his The Roses costar Olivia Colman, the 49-year-old actor opened up about what irritates his family members.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The news irritates Lord Lovat, knowing that if the MacKenzie brothers thought Ellen had run off with Malcom Grant, and Dougal (Sam Retford) was dumb enough to beat Malcom as a result, there has to be a moral lapse in judgment somewhere.
—Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
That gas irritates the nose and lungs, which makes those parts of the body work harder.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2025
Harry replies stupidly, which irritates Bri.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
Ethylene oxide can cause cancer and irritates the nervous and respiratory systems.
—Jenni Shearston, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
Also, the Cane Toad emits a toxin that irritates skin and eyes.
—Alan Clemons, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025
Contact dermatitis occurs when your skin is exposed to a substance that irritates it or prompts an allergic reaction, causing an itchy, red rash.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
Andy McCullough, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
During his appearance on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast alongside his The Roses costar Olivia Colman, the 49-year-old actor opened up about what irritates his family members.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The news irritates Lord Lovat, knowing that if the MacKenzie brothers thought Ellen had run off with Malcom Grant, and Dougal (Sam Retford) was dumb enough to beat Malcom as a result, there has to be a moral lapse in judgment somewhere.
—Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
That gas irritates the nose and lungs, which makes those parts of the body work harder.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2025
Harry replies stupidly, which irritates Bri.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025
Ethylene oxide can cause cancer and irritates the nervous and respiratory systems.
—Jenni Shearston, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
Also, the Cane Toad emits a toxin that irritates skin and eyes.
—Alan Clemons, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025
Contact dermatitis occurs when your skin is exposed to a substance that irritates it or prompts an allergic reaction, causing an itchy, red rash.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritates
Verb
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Ask yourself what annoys you specifically about that behavior, Davis says.—
NPR,
NPR,
28 Oct. 2025
-
There are days when my running annoys my wife, my children, or my colleagues.—
Nicholas Thompson,
The Atlantic,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The affidavit said that the victim suffered minor injuries, including a bruise on her left eye and scratches on the right side of her neck.—
Rachel DeSantis,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The Science Behind the Hack Elkus explained that the marks often seen on white or light-colored dishes are metal deposits left behind by silverware, not scratches in the glaze.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That’s what bothers me about it.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Why ban books, Postman asked, if no one bothers to read them?—
Time,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Zwick is such a conventional filmmaker that DiCaprio chafes trying to break out of the Reluctant Hero straitjacket Zwick puts him in.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Both can reduce debris or items that attract the boxelder bugs.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Chinch bugs overwinter in moist, deep thatch.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Nobody catches it for week, until someone scrapes customer addresses and posts them online.—
Daniel Fusch,
Ascend Agency,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Injuries can occur when the person scrapes over the rocks.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Money could be at the heart of the power struggle when Mars aggravates Pluto.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The minuscule particles can lead to breathing problems like bronchitis and cause inflammation that aggravates diabetes, heart disease and other health conditions.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Irritates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritates. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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