irritant

1 of 2

noun

ir·​ri·​tant ˈir-ə-tənt 

: something that irritates or excites

irritant

2 of 2

adjective

: causing irritation

specifically : tending to produce physical irritation

Synonyms

Noun

• aggravation
• aggro [British]
• annoyance
• bother
• botheration
• bugbear
• exasperation
• frustration
• hair shirt
• hassle
• headache
• inconvenience
• irk
• nuisance
• peeve
• pest
• rub
• ruffle
• thorn
• trial
• vexation

Examples of irritant in a Sentence

Noun

dust and other lung irritants

The delay was a minor irritant.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In some cases, irritants such as smoke, dust, or chemical fumes can inflame the bronchial tubes, causing acute bronchitis. —Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024

Brushing helps spread the oils their skin produces, keeping your kitty’s coat shiny and free of irritants. —Lisa Bloch, The Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2024

Adjective

This formula also contains guar gum, which Rhyan Geiger, RDN, founder of the Phoenix Vegan Dietitian, notes can be a gut irritant for people with issues like IBS. —Suzy Forman, SELF, 21 Nov. 2024

In response, soldiers aimed pepper balls at the ground, creating an irritant cloud to prevent them from unlawfully entering. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1802, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1636, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

irritant

1 of 2 adjective

ir·​ri·​tant ˈir-ə-tənt 

: 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 

: 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