as in headaches
something that is a source of irritation
the whining child was a constant irritant to his long-suffering parents
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Recent Examples of irritants
There certainly are harmful chemicals, carcinogens, toxins, heavy metals, respiratory irritants and other things inside of there that certainly can cause immediate harm.
—
Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
That's because these substances accumulate quickly in bedding and create an ideal environment for dust mites and other irritants.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Too little, however, can cause otherwise harmless particles to dry out and become airborne irritants.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Federal agents clashed with students and staff at the end of the school day, deploying chemical irritants and tackling several people in the encounter.
—Beret Leone, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
In that incident, federal agents deployed chemical irritants against protesters and observers in Mueller Park in the Lowry Hill East neighborhood of Minneapolis, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported.
—Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 2 Mar. 2026
Others, like the zero-talent hipster artist (Zach Woods) who refers to himself as the White Basquiat, are merely inconvenient irritants standing in Becket’s way to life on easy street.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
Taking steps to limit exposure to potential irritants like chemicals is also important.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
Volunteers spoke of the risks of verbal and physical confrontations with ICE agents, including the use of pepper spray and other irritants against observers and even arrests.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
That's because these substances accumulate quickly in bedding and create an ideal environment for dust mites and other irritants.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Too little, however, can cause otherwise harmless particles to dry out and become airborne irritants.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Federal agents clashed with students and staff at the end of the school day, deploying chemical irritants and tackling several people in the encounter.
—Beret Leone, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
In that incident, federal agents deployed chemical irritants against protesters and observers in Mueller Park in the Lowry Hill East neighborhood of Minneapolis, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported.
—Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 2 Mar. 2026
Others, like the zero-talent hipster artist (Zach Woods) who refers to himself as the White Basquiat, are merely inconvenient irritants standing in Becket’s way to life on easy street.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
Taking steps to limit exposure to potential irritants like chemicals is also important.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
Volunteers spoke of the risks of verbal and physical confrontations with ICE agents, including the use of pepper spray and other irritants against observers and even arrests.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritants
Noun
-
Treeline wants to rebuild corporate IT from the ground up, starting with the everyday headaches most workers barely notice until something breaks.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Authorities said Koc and Alshmari attacked the victim, causing a split lip and headaches.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The end of the hibernation period in spring brings new bat movement, which means more nuisances for homes with roosts.—
Caden Perry,
jsonline.com,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The Florida law shields shooting ranges, specifically, from being sued as nuisances.—
Christopher Spata,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Lack of communication from airlines during disruptions is a major complaint from customers across carriers, and anything companies can do to alleviate that will help with those frustrations.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The poll suggests the financial pressure of increasing gas prices in the wake of the US attack on Iran has added to Americans’ financial frustrations.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Odor is a botanical defense mechanism as much as thistles and thorns.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Get Tough Purchase ones made from cowhide, goatskin, or pigskin leather or abrasion-resistant canvas that will be harder for thorns to penetrate.—
Libby Monteith Minor,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In order to make sure horses keep their cool among loud, unpredictable crowds, officers do desensitization training with speakers, sirens, inflatable tube men, kazoos, fireworks, flags and all manner of annoyances.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Shatner deftly presents Kirk's delicate handling of interstellar trader Cyrano Jones's multiplying annoyances with a gentle humor and relaxed resignation as to the absurdity of the situation aboard the Enterprise.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
These are not minor inconveniences.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
With such services suspended, lawmakers traveling on Delta will face the same inconveniences as other passengers.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irritants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritants. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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