irritating 1 of 2

irritating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of irritate
1
2
as in scratching
to make sore by continued rubbing new shoes usually irritate my feet

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 irritating
Adjective
But over time, if a relationship starts to deteriorate, these once-enjoyable moments can begin to feel mechanical — or even irritating. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025 Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition with genetic and environmental causes, whereas atopic dermatitis stems from an irritating substance that triggers a rash. Susan Bard, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
Avoid Chewy Foods Chewy or crunchy foods can be irritating for people with bruxism. Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Verywell Health, 26 Mar. 2025 Ingredients could have broken down into irritating chemicals once past their expiration date or there could be bacteria and yeast growing in the product, which could lead to infection and forms of skin irritation such as bumps and rashes. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for irritating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritating
Adjective
  • Increasing one’s protein intake requires an annoying amount of foresight, a willingness to experience short-term displeasure, or both.
    Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
  • This eye-rolling, annual chore is annoying, obviously, but also tied to the functioning of government.
    Made by History, Time, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Vietnamese refugees who got a warm welcome from America puzzle at family separations, harsh rhetoric In Vietnam, Lam had owned three companies.
    Anh Do, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • President Donald Trump has launched harsh immigration actions in his first 100 days in office—detaining more people for immigration violations, allowing arrests outside schools and courthouses, and sending more than 200 Venezuelan men to be imprisoned in El Salvador.
    Brian Bennett, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Rodin Cars The big idea behind Rodin is to build cars without bothering about vehicle regulations – in stark contrast to F1 cars, which are subject to several rules around how they're put together.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Jan. 2025
  • The city and state have also been ramping up efforts to engage troubled vagrants sleeping and sometimes bothering straphangers, connecting them with services and shelter and potentially involuntary treatment.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Similar to a sheet pan, whole meals can be built in a Dutch oven, scratching that same itch for convenience and less clean up.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2024
  • But that’s just scratching the surface – addressing only the symptoms of the underlying challenges and only addressing them at the end of the SDLC process.
    Jeremy Vaughan, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Timing Gaps: Traditional file transfers typically operate on rigid schedules—often daily or even weekly—creating frustrating delays between participant actions and results.
    Charlie Gautreaux, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • As for Arsenal, the Gunners endured a frustrating domestic campaign despite having made it through to the semifinals of the Champions League, while Manchester City has suffered an unlikely drop in form after winning four straight Premier League titles between 2021 and 2024.
    Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman had a rough outing against the New York Yankees on Sunday in the first game of a doubleheader.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Oz has had 30 (homers) and 100 (RBIs) before and can have some rough patches and still has a way of coming out of it.
    David O'Brien, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Helped by the transaxle layout, the massive power gains, and sublime styling inside and out, the Vantage also requires less of the sacrifices dictated by low-slung mid-engine supercars that demand constant vigilance to avoid scraping on speed bumps, rough canyon roads, or driveways.
    Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
  • The scraping sensations shouldn't be painful but may feel slightly uncomfortable.
    Carley Millhone, Health, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • In cases where advertising is inevitable, some prefer ads that appeal on a personal level over messaging that can be inappropriate or, even, disturbing and offensive.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Ghosts that wink could be scary but the face Sal makes is disturbing in other ways.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Irritating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritating. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on irritating

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!