Synonyms of irritating

irritating 1 of 2

adjective

ˈir-ə-ˌtā-tiŋ 

1

as in annoying

causing annoyance

his particularly irritating habit of leaving his dirty clothes on the floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• annoying
• frustrating
• disturbing
• aggravating
• exasperating
• irksome
• maddening
• bothersome
• abrasive
• vexing
• painful
• vexatious
• pesky
• nettlesome
• pestiferous
• pestilential
• galling
• distractive
• rebarbative
• pesty
• nettling
• peeving
• chafing
• infuriating
• plaguey
• pestilent
• rankling
• carking
• troublesome
• riling
• stressful
• troubling
• displeasing
• biting
• mischievous
• importunate
• discomforting
• burdensome
• distressing
• disquieting
• upsetting
• tiresome
• offensive
• enraging
• inconveniencing
• worrisome
• angering
• trying
• jarring
• importune
• bratty
• thorny
• grating
• brattish
• spiny
• jangling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• delightful
• pleasing

2

as in harsh

causing an unpleasant tingling sensation

this soap leaves a residue that might be a little irritating if you have sensitive skin

Synonyms & Similar Words

• harsh
• rough
• coarse
• itchy
• scratchy
• prickly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• soft
• silky
• soothing
• silken

irritating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of irritate

1

as in bothering

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• annoying
• bothering
• bugging
• persecuting
• aggravating
• exasperating
• infuriating
• getting
• vexing
• irking
• grating
• itching
• eating
• nettling
• worrying
• griping
• angering
• chafing
• galling
• burning (up)
• ruffling
• spiting
• riling
• rasping
• peeving
• teasing
• frosting
• insulting
• hacking (off)
• plaguing
• getting to
• narking
• piquing
• wearing on
• provoking
• putting out
• upsetting
• harassing
• nagging
• enraging
• rubbing the wrong way
• sticking in one's craw
• getting on one's nerves
• offending
• hassling
• setting one's teeth on edge
• heckling
• getting one's goat
• maddening
• unsettling
• badgering
• pestering
• distressing
• rousing
• discomforting
• antagonizing
• inflaming
• agitating
• perturbing
• disquieting
• harrying
• baiting
• incensing
• outraging
• rankling
• affronting
• roiling
• undoing
• fretting
• exercising
• bullyragging
• unhinging
• hagriding
• freaking (out)
• deviling
• discomposing
• miffing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obliging
• gratifying
• pacifying
• appeasing
• satisfying
• placating
• pleasing
• conciliating
• delighting
• mollifying
• reassuring
• comforting
• soothing
• assuring
• propitiating
• cheering
• consoling
• quieting
• contenting
• gladdening
• solacing

2

as in scratching

to make sore by continued rubbing

new shoes usually irritate my feet

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scratching
• scraping
• chafing
• fretting
• galling
• excoriating
• abrading
• burning
• peeling
• grazing
• skinning
• inflaming
• flaying

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of irritating

Adjective

Brands that connect those steps—or simply remove one irritating point of friction—can create disproportionate value. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

His irritating habit of starting each meeting with the ping of a bell reinforces his personality. — Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

Verb

Be sure to use a fragrance-free, gentle detergent to avoid irritating sensitive skin with any residue. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Aug. 2026

There’s something uniquely irritating about being forced to listen to whatever a stranger has decided to watch on their phone. — Angela Haupt, Time, 17 Aug. 2026