as in headache
something that is a source of irritation
the whining child was a constant irritant to his long-suffering parents
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of irritant
It's usually caused by long-term exposure to environmental irritants such as cigarette smoke, chemicals, allergens, air pollution and dust, explains Dr. Kunal Bakshi, a primary care physician at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
—
Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
Environmental factors: Exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, or chemical fumes can increase your risk.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Mar. 2025
While there is no specific cause for perioral dermatitis, it is often linked with irritants such as skin care products and toothpaste.10
How to Care for Acne-Prone Skin
Caring for acne-prone skin can be a challenge.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
Higher asthma rates have been observed in people who clean professionally and even in ordinary people exposed to these irritants as infrequently as once per week.
—Matt Fuchs, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irritant
Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
Environmental factors: Exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, or chemical fumes can increase your risk.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Mar. 2025
While there is no specific cause for perioral dermatitis, it is often linked with irritants such as skin care products and toothpaste.10
How to Care for Acne-Prone Skin
Caring for acne-prone skin can be a challenge.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
Higher asthma rates have been observed in people who clean professionally and even in ordinary people exposed to these irritants as infrequently as once per week.
—Matt Fuchs, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irritant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritant
Noun
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Avantree Cord Organizer $7 at Amazon Cord clutter is a universal travel headache.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Mar. 2025
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While blazes like this one can be a major headache for people, fire is also a critical part of South Florida’s ecosystem — particularly the Everglades.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In a meeting that month which Dahl recorded, Turner referred to Williams as a nuisance who had already been dealt with.—
Ronan Farrow,
The New Yorker,
24 Mar. 2025
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However, residents argue that the alligator, who had been sunning beside a pond on the property for more than a decade, was not a nuisance but that his fate was in fact decided by the new management, who thought the wild animal posed a risk to residents.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA TODAY,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In the past two seasons, the Nuggets have been a thorn in the Lakers' side, being eliminated by Denver in the playoffs.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
20 Mar. 2025
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Property taxes are a thorn in the side of homeowners.—
Maddie McGay,
USA TODAY,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In one post, a former colleague expresses frustration that the book seems to take credit for his efforts at the company.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2025
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Kurt’s key takeaways Taking a few minutes to protect your data and devices today can save you hours of frustration, heartache and financial loss tomorrow.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Being famous, especially as A-list as the Pauls, surely has its annoyances – one’s privacy is effectively gone.—
Ryan Morik,
Fox News,
24 Mar. 2025
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And then there’s the annoyance and horror of Why am I being forced to deal with this unruly Eagan, who could die on my watch?—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Irritant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritant. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
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