as in headaches
something that is a source of irritation
the whining child was a constant irritant to his long-suffering parents
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of irritants
The Voice of America and its later branches are designed to be irritants to undemocratic regimes.
—
arkansasonline.com, 24 Mar. 2025
Both men were irritants to Erdogan and could stir up trouble, but neither was a real threat to Erdogan’s power.
—Ahmet T. Kuru, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025
Its simple formula leaves out common irritants (looking at you, fragrance) and instead lets hydrating hero ingredients like shea butter and panthenol do the work.
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 18 Mar. 2025
With his fourth corner 3-pointer in as many tries — three of them launched in front of OKC’s meddling sideline — Watson spun around and trash-talked his irritants, gleefully backpedaling to the end of the floor that he’s actually meant to dominate.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 12 Mar. 2025
Chronic bronchitis caused by environmental irritants, for instance, is not contagious.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
In fact, the brand follows the National Eczema Association's ingredient guidelines to avoid irritants and allergens.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025
Pinpointing skin irritants or allergens is often a huge hurdle for people with eczema, especially those with deeper complexions who have a higher risk of hyperpigmentation post-flare-up.
—Jihan Forbes, Allure, 28 Feb. 2025
Higher asthma rates have been observed in people who clean professionally and even in ordinary people exposed to these irritants as infrequently as once per week.
—Matt Fuchs, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025
arkansasonline.com, 24 Mar. 2025
Both men were irritants to Erdogan and could stir up trouble, but neither was a real threat to Erdogan’s power.
—Ahmet T. Kuru, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025
Its simple formula leaves out common irritants (looking at you, fragrance) and instead lets hydrating hero ingredients like shea butter and panthenol do the work.
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 18 Mar. 2025
With his fourth corner 3-pointer in as many tries — three of them launched in front of OKC’s meddling sideline — Watson spun around and trash-talked his irritants, gleefully backpedaling to the end of the floor that he’s actually meant to dominate.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 12 Mar. 2025
Chronic bronchitis caused by environmental irritants, for instance, is not contagious.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
In fact, the brand follows the National Eczema Association's ingredient guidelines to avoid irritants and allergens.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025
Pinpointing skin irritants or allergens is often a huge hurdle for people with eczema, especially those with deeper complexions who have a higher risk of hyperpigmentation post-flare-up.
—Jihan Forbes, Allure, 28 Feb. 2025
Higher asthma rates have been observed in people who clean professionally and even in ordinary people exposed to these irritants as infrequently as once per week.
—Matt Fuchs, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritants
Noun
-
Strap mounts are particularly infamous for causing users headaches when trying to remove phones.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The tariffs aren’t only causing headaches for car dealerships.—
Pat Maio,
Oc Register,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Shulman suggested a similar pattern could unfold in China, but with frustrations centered on the tariffs.—
Miranda Nazzaro,
The Hill,
13 Apr. 2025
-
The same frustrations that haunted him at the end of last season have reappeared in ugly ways.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Those programs, despite their occasional annoyances, were directionally correct.—
Kara Swisher,
The Atlantic,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Like all married couples, George and Kathryn have their things, those little daily annoyances, the occasional doubt about what the other may be thinking, or doing, in their private hours.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Irritants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritants. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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