irritant

1 of 2

noun

ir·​ri·​tant ˈir-ə-tənt How to pronounce irritant (audio)
: something that irritates or excites

irritant

2 of 2

adjective

: causing irritation
specifically : tending to produce physical irritation

Examples of irritant in a Sentence

Noun dust and other lung irritants The delay was a minor irritant.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The bladder urgency and frequency that millennial women are experiencing can be caused, in part, by irritants like caffeine, alcohol, seltzer water, and chocolate, says McGurk, and also poor water intake and prolonged sitting. Fiorella Valdesolo, Vogue, 19 Apr. 2024 Bonus: This product is free of common irritants like essential oils and silicones. Marilyn La Jeunesse, Glamour, 16 Apr. 2024 Nose hairs protect the delicate tissues of the nasal cavity and lungs from airborne irritants and pollutants, such as dust and pollen. Lindsay Modglin, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2024 Even housing policy can be brought to bear on this crisis: funds to help people strengthen their homes against the ravages of extreme weather, remove mold, and improve indoor air quality can all help reduce exposures to immune irritants. Kari Nadeau, STAT, 4 Apr. 2024 Ukraine has reported intensifying Russian uses of chemical weapons, beginning with irritants, but with the potential for the more lethal kinds of attacks that characterized the Syrian war. Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024 There is also video evidence of rioters carrying everything from stun guns, knives and batons to chemical irritants spray, sticks or even flags used to stab or strike any number of officers trying to protect the building that day. Will McDuffie, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024 Rice quat also helps to strengthen the skin barrier against external irritants. Holistapet, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024 Coughing is a bodily reflex that offers protection from germs or irritants. Claire Gillespie, Health, 17 Mar. 2024
Adjective
It could also be caused by an irritant (like chemicals in synthetic hair) or dehydrated scalps and even eczema. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 25 Apr. 2024 Schubert also attempted to punch the officer and only retreated from the fighting after he was sprayed with a chemical irritant, according to the release. Michael Moore Jr., Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024 What is certain is that his detention is yet another irritant in U.S.-Russian relations already at Cold War-like lows following the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Charles Maynes, NPR, 29 Mar. 2024 Some form of cleanup performed every six months will go a long way to keep your computer’s performance from becoming a constant irritant. Ken Colburn, The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024 Anyone can experience contact dermatitis, especially if you are exposed to an irritant in a high enough concentration (such as to bleach or poison ivy). Amanda Gardner, Health, 4 Mar. 2024 Patrick Beverley has been described as an instigator, irritant, and pest not by his opponents but by his new teammates on the Milwaukee Bucks. Brian Sampson, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024 China has repeatedly warned the United States to stop its support for Taiwan and the issue is a constant irritant in Sino-U.S. relations. Reuters, NBC News, 25 Jan. 2024 Porter’s campaign ads focus on her reputation in Congress as an irritant to Washington’s entrenched political hierarchy, touting her as having an independent streak and not being beholden to corporate interests. Benjamin Oreskes, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2024

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.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1802, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1636, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irritant was in 1636

Dictionary Entries Near irritant

Cite this Entry

“Irritant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irritant. Accessed 2 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

irritant

1 of 2 adjective
ir·​ri·​tant ˈir-ə-tənt How to pronounce irritant (audio)
: tending to produce anger, annoyance, impatience, soreness, or inflammation
especially : tending to produce physical irritation

irritant

2 of 2 noun
: something that irritates

Medical Definition

irritant

1 of 2 adjective
ir·​ri·​tant ˈir-ə-tənt How to pronounce irritant (audio)
: causing irritation
specifically : tending to produce inflammation

irritant

2 of 2 noun
: something that irritates or excites
specifically : an agent by which irritation is produced
a chemical irritant

More from Merriam-Webster on irritant

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