irritation

noun

ir·​ri·​ta·​tion ˌir-ə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce irritation (audio)
Synonyms of irritationnext
1
a
: the state of being irritated
b
: something that irritates
c
: the act of irritating
2
: a condition of irritability, soreness, roughness, or inflammation of a bodily part

Examples of irritation in a Sentence

Dad's general irritation at the incessant complaining coming from the back seat of the car.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The quietness of the landscape and the absence of distractions or irritations is an instant balm. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 For example, our Brighten + Firm Vitamin C Serum is the only clean and clinical Vitamin C with approval from the National Eczema Association—no irritation, high impact. Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 While prolonged exposure to Castile soap (think jobs that require your hands to be submerged in Castile soap formulas for an extended period of time) can cause skin irritation and dryness, the gentle, fragrance-free formula typically doesn’t cause irritation when used properly. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 31 May 2026 Those kinds of partnerships, where Delta steers customers to a brand and gets a cut of the business, explain why the airline chose Amazon over Starlink as the provider for its in-flight services, to Elon Musk’s highly vocal irritation. Phil Wahba, Fortune, 30 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for irritation

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1c

Time Traveler
The first known use of irritation was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Irritation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irritation. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

irritation

noun
ir·​ri·​ta·​tion ˌir-ə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce irritation (audio)
1
: the act of irritating : the state of being irritated
2

Medical Definition

irritation

noun
ir·​ri·​ta·​tion ˌir-ə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce irritation (audio)
1
a
: the act of irritating
b
: something that irritates
c
: the state of being irritated
2
: a condition of irritability, soreness, roughness, or inflammation of a bodily part

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