How to Use irritant in a Sentence

irritant

1 of 2 noun
  • The delay was a minor irritant.
  • Use your kindness like a balm to soothe away minor irritants.
    — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, 21 Oct. 2019
  • The victim was not the woman who used the irritant on the man, police said.
    — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Daffodils exude a sap that might be a skin irritant - take care to avoid contact.
    — Author: Adrian Higgins, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Mar. 2020
  • He was sprayed with what appeared to be a chemical irritant, then shot.
    — La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 31 Jan. 2026
  • This can be done through blood and skin tests, so people know whether to avoid allergies or irritants.
    — Matt Fuchs, Scientific American, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Smoke from fires that burn through poison oak and poison ivy may contain traces of irritants from those plants.
    — Eva Frederick, Science | AAAS, 14 Feb. 2020
  • Jeremiah Moore was an irritant to the Crown.
    — Michael Luo, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
  • That response can lead to an allergy to those foods or irritants—one that can last for the rest of the child's life.
    — Holly Pevzner, Parents, 8 Sep. 2023
  • Your mucus will be too thick to clear out irritants if you are dehydrated.
    — Sarah Bradley, Health, 31 Aug. 2023
  • The skin is supposed to keep water in and irritants and allergens out.
    — Holly Pevzner, Parents, 8 Sep. 2023
  • Clothes worn outside can carry pollen, dust and other irritants.
    — Rhonda Conner-Warren, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
  • An open window, your shoes, or even your clothing could bring in pollen or other outdoor irritants.
    — Angie Hicks, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
  • This ensures that your clothes come out clean and fresh, without any harsh chemicals or irritants.
    — Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2023
  • Kaplan's research team put a rash-inducing irritant on the ears of mice.
    — ABC News, 27 June 2026
  • Tear gas is an umbrella term for various types of irritants.
    — Minneapolis Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Dogs often lick their paws due to allergies, irritants, or even boredom.
    — Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Aug. 2023
  • Children's skin is more prone to react to allergens and irritants.
    — Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2023
  • Fragrance Fragrance is one of the most common skin irritants.
    — Melanie Rud, Peoplemag, 7 Apr. 2023
  • Allergies may be due to seasonal changes in pollen or be caused by other irritants such as pets, dust, or mold.
    — Nicole Harris, Parents, 25 Aug. 2023
  • Vines that contain irritants should also not be added to the compost pile or burned because the smoke can be toxic.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Clouds of chemical irritants were visible and flash bangs could be heard in late morning.
    — Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 24 Jan. 2026
  • Some of these chemicals are irritants that can cause breathing problems or skin issues.
    — Michael Calore, WIRED, 29 June 2023
  • Agents were also seen using pepper spray or some kind of chemical irritant.
    — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • In a cell phone video, Pretti is seen being sprayed with a chemical irritant and dragged to the ground.
    — Jennifer Mayerle, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Residents said the irritant makes eyes water and chests tighten.
    — Joe Mozingo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2019
  • Ridgell said deputies were working to get them back in their homes but warned the irritant may have gotten into their living areas.
    — Enquirer Staff, The Enquirer, 30 Aug. 2025
  • One way to combat these irritants is by investing in an air purifier for your home.
    — Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2023
  • Here are a few of the common culprits that can aggravate symptoms and tips for avoiding skin irritants.
    — Karen Pallarito, Health, 18 Dec. 2023
  • These common irritants can pass right through a standard vacuum filter and get blown back into the air.
    — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026

irritant

2 of 2 adjective
  • Your body reacts to that irritant by trying to wash it away with tears and a runny nose.
    — Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2021
  • Dust proved to be a major irritant to astronauts on the moon.
    — Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 3 Sep. 2021
  • These pearls form when some irritant, in this case a piece of mussel shell, gets inside the oyster.
    — The Indianapolis Star, 5 Sep. 2023
  • Ozone can also cause an irritant effect that makes people unable to take a deep breath.
    — Eva Flowe april 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The policy had been an irritant to right-wing politicians in Italy for decades.
    — Star Tribune, 28 Apr. 2021
  • The Supreme Court has long been an irritant to Israel’s right wing.
    — Meryl Kornfield, Anchorage Daily News, 25 July 2023
  • Depending on your perspective, that may be a salve or an irritant.
    — Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 July 2022
  • Nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl, then forms a layer around the irritant to protect the mollusk.
    — Mythili Devarakonda, USA TODAY, 25 Dec. 2022
  • Schaffer was one of the first people to be hit in the face with a chemical irritant sprayed by officers.
    — Johnny Magdaleno, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Apr. 2021
  • The videos depicted Nichols being punched, struck with a baton, kicked in the face, and sprayed with an irritant.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 28 Jan. 2023
  • Health officials say meth residue can be an irritant, causing symptoms like an itchy throat, a runny nose and bloodshot eyes.
    — CBS News, 17 Jan. 2023
  • The officers, who had riot shields, batons and what appeared to be an irritant spray, detained some marchers.
    — Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 2 Apr. 2022
  • And his irritant style, while charming in the maize and blue, is one of his calling cards now in the NBA.
    — Kirkland Crawford, Detroit Free Press, 29 Dec. 2022
  • These are the nerve cells that respond to painful stimuli like a pinch, a pinprick, a hot stove or a chemical irritant such as a chili pepper.
    — Karen Weintraub, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2022
  • The disease is a skin irritant that can appear as white fuzz on their muzzle and wings, Smith-Castro said.
    — Dallas News, 23 Nov. 2022
  • Now everyone has chemical irritant in their eyes.
    — Anna Schecter, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • The videos depicted Nichols being punched, struck with a baton, appearing to be kicked in the face, and sprayed with an irritant.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 29 Jan. 2023
  • Hodges said rioters bashed his head, kicked him in the chest, and sprayed him with a chemical irritant during the riot, among other assaults.
    — Sarah Elbeshbishi, USA TODAY, 27 July 2021
  • Borgen said the men punched him, hit him with crutches and sprayed an irritant in his face, leaving him with bruises, a concussion and injuries to his skin and eyes.
    — Washington Post, 23 May 2021
  • The latest irritant to cross our paths is the inane newest tinkering with the digital subscription.
    — Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
  • This is a rash that can cause redness, itching, and scaling as a result of damage to the skin barrier from an external irritant.
    — Alyssa Hui, Health, 1 June 2023
  • The Celtics’ star/my own personal irritant Jaylen Brown has been rocking Birks for years now.
    — Dave Schilling, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2023
  • An athletic if not polished 24-year-old forward/center who has been traded and waived three times apiece and who can be an irritant on the court.
    — Dallas News, 16 Jan. 2022
  • No doubt the small steps and mistakes are an irritant that must be addressed before nationals, but for now the Utes deserve to enjoy the big win.
    — The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Apr. 2021
  • Some research suggests about 20% of cases are caused by an allergen and 80% by an irritant.
    — Julia Ries, SELF, 7 Feb. 2023
  • All that's needed is a pump or two of this dual brightening serum and anti-irritant complex per day to improve the look of dark spots, age spots, and acne scars.
    — Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, 30 Nov. 2022
  • At least one officer appeared to have been hit with a chemical irritant when it was sprayed at Nichols during the initial encounter.
    — Antonio Planas, NBC News, 30 Jan. 2023
  • At least one officer appeared to have been hit with a chemical irritant from when it was sprayed at Nichols during the initial encounter.
    — Antonio Planas, NBC News, 28 Jan. 2023
  • The chemical irritant charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
    — Kristina Sgueglia, CNN, 21 Apr. 2023
  • Benzoyl peroxide products should be used with caution as it is known to be a skin irritant when exposed to the skin for long periods of time and can bleach the hairline and clothes.
    — Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 May 2022

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'irritant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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