irritation

noun

ir·​ri·​ta·​tion ˌir-ə-ˈtā-shən 

1

a

: the state of being irritated

b

: something that irritates

c

: the act of irritating

2

: a condition of irritability, soreness, roughness, or inflammation of a bodily part

Synonyms

• aggravation
• aggro [British]
• annoyance
• bother
• botheration
• exasperation
• frustration
• grief
• pip [chiefly British]
• vexation

Examples of irritation in a Sentence

Dad's general irritation at the incessant complaining coming from the back seat of the car.

Recent Examples on the Web

Throw a retinol serum into the mix, and you could be left with even more skin irritation, Tournas notes. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025

For those with sensitive skin — or if overused — AHAs can compromise the skin barrier, causing redness and irritation. —Victoria Jowett, Refinery29, 1 Apr. 2025

The recalled products were purchased by thousands of families, potentially exposing children to a chemical that can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation or sensitization when inhaled, touched, or ingested. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025

Before massaging castor oil into your navel area, apply a small amount for 7-10 days on a small patch of skin at the bend of your elbow to check for skin irritation. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1c

Rhymes for irritation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

irritation

noun

ir·​ri·​ta·​tion ˌir-ə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act of irritating : the state of being irritated

2

: irritant entry 2

Medical Definition

irritation

noun

ir·​ri·​ta·​tion ˌir-ə-ˈtā-shən 

1

a

: the act of irritating

b

: something that irritates

c

: the state of being irritated

2

: a condition of irritability, soreness, roughness, or inflammation of a bodily part