irritating 1 of 2

adjective

ˈir-ə-ˌtā-tiŋ How to pronounce irritating (audio)
Definition of irritatingnext
1
as in annoying
causing annoyance his particularly irritating habit of leaving his dirty clothes on the floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in scratching
to make sore by continued rubbing new shoes usually irritate my feet

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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
Sutherland further emphasizes this point, saying that calcium and magnesium in hard water can be absorbed into the cotton, making the towels stiff and irritating. — Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026 Like nails on a chalkboard, whining—an irritating blend of talking and crying—has the ability to make almost any parent either lose their temper or cave. — Debby Waldman, Parents, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
Aspell, the deputy executive officer, acknowledged that the lung-irritating chemical continues to be a concern. — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 It’s also formulated without potentially irritating ingredients like phthalates, parabens and mineral oil. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for irritating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritating
  1. annoying
  2. harsh
  3. bothering
  4. scratching
  5. frustrating
  6. rough
  7. bugging
  8. scraping
Adjective
  • Adults’s Gen-Z characters tend to see their comforts as transient, their identities as mutable, and seriousness as an annoying obligation, all of which the second season pokes at a bit.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Fluctuating estrogen levels can disrupt the nerves responsible for your sense of scent, leading to this symptom that’s equally bizarre and annoying.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of annoying
Adjective
  • Scott London Every year, Black Rock City appears on a dry lakebed in one of Nevada’s harshest areas, then disappears just as fast.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Hig has bunkered down with a grouchy companion, Bangley (Josh Brolin), who thrives in this harsh world.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of harsh
Verb
  • Some interns hesitate to contact their former colleagues for fear of bothering them, but most people are eager to help out young talent.
    — Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Contreras rarely takes days off but asked for a day off Sunday with his leg bothering him.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of bothering
Verb
  • Its uniquely wide view will also help scientists decode the intricacies of dark matter and dark energy while perhaps clearing up some contradictions about our universe that scientists have been scratching their heads over for decades.
    — Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Use non-abrasive cleaners and tools to avoid scratching the glass surface.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of scratching
Adjective
  • At this point in the draft, every RB has questions, but volume remains king, and Harvey could be in a frustrating battle for touches all season.
    — Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Bohm’s Phillies career has been sometimes frustrating, sometimes exciting, sometimes perplexing.
    — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustrating
Adjective
  • Other downsides to sulfates include leaving hair feeling dry, brittle, and rough, which Trisler says can be even more damaging if your hair is already compromised.
    — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Hsu’s argument for why the near-monochrome restaurant doesn’t go flat is that the palette itself runs on tension, with the statement-making veined marble behind the point-of-sale area set against rough plaster walls.
    — Alexis Benveniste, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of rough
Verb
  • However, in-flight cabin etiquette is only one part of what’s bugging travelers this summer.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The necessity of the trip at all is what's been bugging me.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 12 June 2026
Definition of bugging
Verb
  • Burger King has 286 locations in Ohio, according to the data-scraping website ScrapeHero.
    — Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Step 3 Reduce mixer speed to low and, with motor running, gradually add dry ingredients to butter mixture; beat, stopping and scraping down sides and bottom of bowl as needed, until just combined.
    — Rick Martinez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of scraping

Browse Nearby Words

irritates
irritating
irritatingly
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Cite this Entry

“Irritating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritating. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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