as in bothering
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
don't let her snide put-downs and wisecracks itch you—just ignore her
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in bleeding
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of itching
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2025
Colts punter Rigoberto Sanchez averaged 50 yards a punt last year, and his right leg must be itching after going without a boot in Week 1.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
The one-two punch aims to put Republicans on notice and sends a political message to the Democrats’ liberal base — which was furious after Schumer helped usher an earlier spending bill into law — that party leaders are united, at least for a moment, and itching for a fight.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 11 Sep. 2025
The Chicago Cubs have the player everyone will be itching to sign away in free agency this winter.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
TikTok star Becca Bloom is itching to cut her hair.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2025
The Mustangs, who had a string of five straight seasons of qualifying for the Class 5A playoffs snapped last year, are itching for a return.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
This one's purely for competitive gamers and hardcore PC builders itching for weapons-grade hardware.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 23 Aug. 2025
But for a teenager itching to see more of Britain—and eventually the world—that lack of curiosity was disheartening.
—Rohan Banerjee, Time, 23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
By then, Easy has become a viral hit, Sam has dug himself in way too deep, and Mickey is itching to show his true colors.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2025
Colts punter Rigoberto Sanchez averaged 50 yards a punt last year, and his right leg must be itching after going without a boot in Week 1.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
The one-two punch aims to put Republicans on notice and sends a political message to the Democrats’ liberal base — which was furious after Schumer helped usher an earlier spending bill into law — that party leaders are united, at least for a moment, and itching for a fight.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 11 Sep. 2025
The Chicago Cubs have the player everyone will be itching to sign away in free agency this winter.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
TikTok star Becca Bloom is itching to cut her hair.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2025
The Mustangs, who had a string of five straight seasons of qualifying for the Class 5A playoffs snapped last year, are itching for a return.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
This one's purely for competitive gamers and hardcore PC builders itching for weapons-grade hardware.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 23 Aug. 2025
But for a teenager itching to see more of Britain—and eventually the world—that lack of curiosity was disheartening.
—Rohan Banerjee, Time, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for itching
Verb
-
Lead with Gratitude and Grace Calling out someone for bothering you is always tricky.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
-
That appeared to be a distraction at times to Anisimova, who motioned to her team in the stands that something was bothering her during ball tosses for serves.—
Howard Fendrich,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Pricey prescriptions and nagging medical costs are swamping some insurers and employers now.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Add another key defensive starter to the Broncos’ list of nagging ailments.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Sounders’ defenders swarmed Messi from the first minute, and midfielder Obed Vargas was particularly physical, annoying the Argentine icon time and again.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
1 Sep. 2025
-
In fairness, Arsenal seemed to be annoying Liverpool for much of the first hour.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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While Bernhardt praises her gifts, the French diva doesn’t hold back in her stinging criticism of the production, calling it the same old prewar Italian theater, out of touch with the times.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
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All that and the Lakers – who were left scrambling after the Klaw left them hanging – threw together a squad of role-embracing vets who handled the bubble like pros and won the franchise its 17th title, a swift and stinging rebuttal.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
-
Pesky skeeters are irritating Lake County residents as the number of insects carrying the worrisome West Nile Virus climbs.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Please tell me the sequel could answer the most burning question of the ’00s: How could Austin not recognize Sam in that mask?—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Cooper, 30, asked Hargitay one more burning question about the actors' on-screen alter egos: will Olivia and Elliot ever end up together?—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
The former human-rights lawyer entered on a tourist visa and filed for political asylum in October of that year, claiming the governments that succeeded Correa were persecuting him.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
-
For 25 years, Chavism has co-opted Venezuela's infrastructure for its own enrichment, persecuting journalists and opposition, wrecking the economy, and leaving its citizens in poverty.—
Kristina Foltz,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This loop then results in a more inflamed and damaged gut lining.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Aug. 2025
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But Simms’ feisty grandma appeared to thrive on all the attention, expressing discomfort more with the huge black and blue bruise on the left side of her face and with the maze of inflamed insect bites on her arms, than with probing questions from reporters.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Itching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/itching. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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