irritable

adjective

ir·​ri·​ta·​ble ˈir-ə-tə-bəl How to pronounce irritable (audio)
Synonyms of irritable
: capable of being irritated: such as
a
: easily exasperated or excited
gets irritable when he tires
b
: responsive to stimuli
irritableness noun
irritably
ˈir-ə-tə-blē How to pronounce irritable (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of irritable

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Examples of irritable in a Sentence

My father is always irritable after a nap. I came home from work feeling tired and irritable.
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.
They can be withdrawn or irritable. — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 14 June 2026 But Maguire, now 43, became sad and irritable, and didn’t want to be around his newborn. — Keith Wagstaff, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026 That’s because the Moon is at odds with Mars today and everyone is irritable. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 7 May 2026 Perhaps through feeling more irritable, more anxious, or wanting to isolate. — Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for irritable

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irritable was in 1662

Phrases Containing irritable

Browse Nearby Words

irritability
irritable
irritable bowel syndrome
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Cite this Entry

“Irritable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irritable. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

irritable

adjective
ir·​ri·​ta·​ble ˈir-ət-ə-bəl How to pronounce irritable (audio)
: capable of being irritated
especially : easily irritated
gets irritable when he's tired
irritableness noun
irritably
-blē How to pronounce irritable (audio)
adverb

Medical Definition

irritable

adjective
ir·​ri·​ta·​ble ˈir-ət-ə-bəl How to pronounce irritable (audio)
: characterized by irritability: as
a
: easily exasperated or excited
b
: responsive to stimuli

More from Merriam-Webster on irritable

Nglish: Translation of irritable for Spanish Speakers

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