: causing irritation
specifically
: tending to produce physical irritation
Synonyms
Examples of irritant in a Sentence
Noun
dust and other lung irritants
The delay was a minor irritant.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Protection From Environmental Factors Protect your hands from environmental irritants by wearing good-quality gloves or mittens in cold, dry weather.
—Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 24 Dec. 2024
Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, its owner, Warner Bros. Discovery, is positioning for wheeling and dealing that probably will include a sale of CNN sooner than later, if no other reason than to remove an irritant to President Trump that might scupper other potential mergers & acquisitions work.
—David Bloom, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for irritant 
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Noun
Participants should bring water and snacks and wear long sleeves and pants to protect themselves from poodle-dog bush and other irritants in the area.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Protection From Environmental Factors Protect your hands from environmental irritants by wearing good-quality gloves or mittens in cold, dry weather.
—Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Undiluted tea tree oil can cause contact dermatitis (a skin rash due to an irritant).
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, its owner, Warner Bros. Discovery, is positioning for wheeling and dealing that probably will include a sale of CNN sooner than later, if no other reason than to remove an irritant to President Trump that might scupper other potential mergers & acquisitions work.
—David Bloom, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for irritant
Dictionary Entries Near irritant
Cite this Entry
“Irritant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irritant. Accessed 15 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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