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
The irritating truth is that there’s no shoe that’s absolutely perfect for every single runner. Kristen Geil, Outside, 22 Sep. 2025 Meanwhile, the ShineOn lip gloss is non-sticky, dermatologist-approved and non-irritating. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
There are ingredients that can pose health risks (phthalates, formaldehyde), and others that are just potentially irritating to some (certain sulfates). Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025 However, Agnes is dressed exactly like Wednesday and her Single White Female act is irritating the hell out of her hero. Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for irritating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritating
Adjective
  • Frankie Montas Montas is slated to miss all of next season, and so his $17 million player option is easier than any decision in those annoying Capital One ads.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • There was one distraction during the number when the director made their performance look like a TikTok video, complete with a stream of annoying comments to the left of Leavitt’s tush.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The triumphant narrative began to fray when exceedingly harsh lockdown measures could no longer contain the spread of the virus, and the staggering human cost in the name of protecting lives defied all logic.
    Yangyang Cheng, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025
  • There are no easy fixes, so figuring out how to cushion the harsh impact will be the basis of negotiations with other parties in the Japanese legislature, the Diet.
    Jeff Kingston, Time, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The dog recognizes that something is amiss, but isn’t capable of understanding what’s really bothering Todd.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The injury that will sideline Herro to begin this season is one that had been bothering him for a few months.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • There is an undercurrent of pulsing creative energy that is meticulously refined and barely scratching its surface.
    Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • But in OpenAI’s view, the company is merely scratching the surface of its full potential.
    Senior Reporter, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Odegaard’s recent medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee will be doubly frustrating as a result, with that pair now missing opportunities to build more chemistry.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Label your bulbs now to avoid frustrating mix-ups later.
    Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • So the idea of him playing someone who’s a little rougher and grittier and just completely relentless appealed to him.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
  • This medium-sized toad has large reddish-brown eyes and a rough skin texture.
    Real-Time News team, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Blood curdling screams and chains scraping against the ground can be heard throughout the prison.
    Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Beat together brown sugar and butter with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on high speed until light and creamy, about 2 minutes, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
    Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The private messages offer a disturbing glimpse into how Jones — who is looking to oust incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares this fall — describes his political adversaries in private conversations.
    Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2025
  • There were masks and body suits made of female skin, along with human skulls for soup bowls and other disturbing oddities.
    Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Irritating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritating. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

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