irritation

noun

ˌir-ə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce irritation (audio)
Definition of irritationnext
as in frustration
the feeling of impatience or anger caused by another's repeated disagreeable acts Dad's general irritation at the incessant complaining coming from the back seat of the car

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 irritation Physical symptoms of air irritation include running noses, sneezing, gagging, coughing, and weeping or swollen eyes. — Stella Canino-Quiñones, Washington Post, 17 July 2026 While dryness or irritation can happen when someone begins using retinol, starting slowly—just using it once or twice a week at night—can allow the skin to ease into it. — Amber Sayer, Health, 15 July 2026 It’s enhanced with hypochlorous acid, which helps reduce redness and irritation, and is safe to use on sensitive skin. — Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026 However, showering too often may also lead to irritation and other adverse effects. — Ashley Olivine, Verywell Health, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for irritation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritation
  1. frustration
  2. exasperation
  3. annoyance
  4. displeasure
  5. grief
Noun
  • That is why there has been such a deluge of anger and frustration from the public, even more than from the tournament exits under Southgate.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • In a Thursday episode of The Ben Shapiro Show, Shapiro hit Vance particularly over his comments on the latter topic and his views on Americans’ frustration with the country’s economic system over the past few decades.
    — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 17 July 2026
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • The implosion of Platner’s candidacy—first bit by bit and then all at once—has Democrats nationwide throwing up their hands in exasperation.
    — Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026
  • At a certain point, the admiration for Paraguay’s underdog defiance and spoiling strategy gave way to exasperation.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of exasperation
Noun
  • Liam Gallagher continued his longtime legacy of talking crap about other artists with his recap of this year’s World Cup halftime show, tweeting out various annoyances that plagued him.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 20 July 2026
  • In recent days, though, broadcasters have predicted the spectacle will cause the regular half-time break to be extended, much to the annoyance of soccer purists.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
Definition of annoyance
Noun
  • Many fans pushed back on the concept of microtransactions and voiced their displeasure on social media, and none were more vocal than YouTuber Bordeaux.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026
  • Yet the scale and intensity of the displeasure and conspiracy theories has escalated during the knockout stages of the competition.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 13 July 2026
Definition of displeasure
Noun
  • The ensemble drama traces the unpredictable shape of grief and family dynamics, aiming for an emotionally candid portrait of loss and the ties that hold communities together.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Buddhist texts often present meditation as a way of confronting uncertainty, grief, mortality and impermanence.
    — Ronald S. Green, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
Definition of grief

Browse Nearby Words

irritatingly
irritation
irritations
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Irritation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritation. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on irritation

Nglish: Translation of irritation for Spanish Speakers

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