IRRITANT Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

irritant

noun

ˈir-ə-tənt

Definition of irritant

as in headache

something that is a source of irritation the whining child was a constant irritant to his long-suffering parents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 irritant Their wavelike motion helps move around germs, mucus, dust, and other irritants so the body can dispel them via coughing or sneezing. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2026 The outcomes are shrouded in mystery, a particular irritant for leadership teams obsessed with data and clarity. — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2026 Use gloves to protect your hands from any potential irritants or chemicals, especially when mixing a cleaning solution. — Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2026 Ingredients Diaper rash creams create a protective barrier between the skin and other irritants. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for irritant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritant

Noun

Those headaches create headwinds, but the underlying story provides support.

— Michael Khouw, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Residents have reported symptoms including burning in the eyes, lungs and sinuses, bad headaches and nausea.

— Lana Zak, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of headache

Noun

Their similarities end there with Divya becoming a thorn in Isla’s plans all season.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026
In the initial draft that didn't make it into the final episode, Greg touched on how STAGFLATION was a central thorn in the side of this concept.

— Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of thorn

Noun

Burks said much of the frustration is connected to top leaders who provide insufficient training.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Clinton's lack of a majority and list of frustrations in his first term set the stage for a bruising first midterm election in 1994.

— Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of frustration

Noun

The Serbian leader had long been seen as an unpredictable annoyance, and his balancing act wasn’t particularly subtle.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
This, Barbera said, can be a programming annoyance as well as a knock on an otherwise good film.

— Jake Coyle, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of annoyance

Browse Nearby Words

irritableness

irritant

irritants

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Irritant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritant. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of irritant

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shindig

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes