as in fiery
easily irritated or annoyed
that irritable old man always yells at people to stay off of his lawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 irritable
Every child is different, but these nine common signs could mean your child is craving more of your time and focus:
Yelling
Children who need more attention often become loud and irritable.
—
wendy Wisner, Parents, 9 Dec. 2024
This includes going from feeling very happy, irritable, with a marked increase in activity level (mania), to feeling sad, indifferent, or hopeless with very low activity levels (depression).
—New Atlas, 30 Nov. 2024
Screw that shouty guy in the street, and screw that irritable homeowner and enemy of dogs.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 24 Dec. 2024
To avoid wallowing in their pity and reassurances, the women recite their own medical ailments (hyperthyroidism, gallstones, diabetes, irritable bowel) and promise to be there for each other.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for irritable 
wendy Wisner, Parents, 9 Dec. 2024
This includes going from feeling very happy, irritable, with a marked increase in activity level (mania), to feeling sad, indifferent, or hopeless with very low activity levels (depression).
—New Atlas, 30 Nov. 2024
Screw that shouty guy in the street, and screw that irritable homeowner and enemy of dogs.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 24 Dec. 2024
To avoid wallowing in their pity and reassurances, the women recite their own medical ailments (hyperthyroidism, gallstones, diabetes, irritable bowel) and promise to be there for each other.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for irritable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritable
Adjective
-
The original image of the women in the Facebook post, which didn't include the fiery background, was posted on the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Flickr account in February 2016.Chris Mueller, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
-
Red Hot Most Popular Fashion A Short History of the Front Row Magazine Inside Vogue’s December Issue Celebrities Jennie Reveals How Cold-Plunging Loosens Up Her Muscles and Opens Up Her Mind For a fiery spin on the glazed nail trend, opt for a red metallic shade.Audrey Noble, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The film’s co-star, Diane Kruger, plays several roles, notably Karsh’s late wife (seen in flashback) and her snappish veterinarian-turned-dog-groomer sister.Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 May 2024
-
Keynes is a snappish but patient listener.Maggie Lange, Washington Post, 19 Jan. 2023
Adjective
-
The irascible superstar was suspended by the team after demanding to be traded, with the Warriors reportedly one of his preferred destinations.Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2025
-
As Bears coach, Ditka was confident enough in his position to accept the involvement of the irascible, disrespectful but skillful defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan as necessary to the team’s Super Bowl success.Michael Peregrine, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
The songs are muscular and syncretic as ever, but the normally peevish rapper doesn’t maintain his trolling energy for the full record, settling into a questioning and pensive pace.Stephen Kearse, TIME, 8 Dec. 2024
-
For all that, his Arthur remains a lowly outsider, with a downcast gaze, a peevish temper, and a deep well of melancholy that never feels one-note.Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2024
Adjective
-
And there was a bar in the basement, a brilliant bar with a fantastically grumpy bar lady called Eileen.Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 3 Jan. 2025
-
The cat's owner went to sit on the couch without realizing his grumpy cat was already there in his spot.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The fans who booed last week at Gillette Stadium seemed more grouchy than outraged.Steve Buckley, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
-
The Grinch will also host an ugly sweater party with green pancakes, green hot chocolate, and grouchy crafts.Paula Conway, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Instead we got stuck with a petulant child (who has grown up since then).Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
-
The male characters are, typically, petulant narcissists with perpetual sneers who insult and cajole their female love interests into almost invariably unhealthy relationships.Josh Bell, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
This time, however, she is joined by a crew consisting of an enthusiastic young engineer, a crabby senior farmer and a history-preserving storyteller.Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 26 Nov. 2024
-
What Kate will not thank him for is being a big crabby baby about her relationship with Dennison.Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near irritable
Cite this Entry
“Irritable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritable. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share