Synonyms of irritates

irritates

verb

present tense third-person singular of irritate

1

as in annoys

to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts

constant chatter irritated the student, who was trying to concentrate on a hard assignment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• annoys
• bothers
• persecutes
• bugs
• aggravates
• exasperates
• infuriates
• irks
• gets
• angers
• riles
• vexes
• eats
• itches
• chafes
• grates
• piques
• worries
• burns (up)
• provokes
• gripes
• ruffles
• teases
• wears on
• gets to
• plagues
• galls
• frosts
• offends
• peeves
• nettles
• hacks (off)
• enrages
• narks
• spites
• insults
• puts out
• harasses
• rasps
• upsets
• nags
• rubs the wrong way
• inflames
• gets on one's nerves
• sets one's teeth on edge
• rouses
• unsettles
• sticks in one's craw
• gets one's goat
• agitates
• antagonizes
• enflames
• pesters
• rankles
• hassles
• perturbs
• distresses
• maddens
• harries
• heckles
• outrages
• disquiets
• badgers
• unhinges
• roils
• incenses
• undoes
• baits
• devils
• discomforts
• affronts
• freaks (out)
• exercises
• frets
• bullyrags
• miffs
• ballyrags
• hagrides
• discomposes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• obliges
• pleases
• delights
• satisfies
• appeases
• pacifies
• gladdens
• placates
• gratifies
• mollifies
• assures
• contents
• soothes
• reassures
• propitiates
• conciliates
• cheers
• quiets
• comforts
• consoles
• solaces

2

as in scratches

to make sore by continued rubbing

new shoes usually irritate my feet

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scratches
• chafes
• excoriates
• scrapes
• galls
• abrades
• inflames
• frets
• burns
• grazes
• peels
• skins
• enflames
• flays

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of irritates

Harry replies stupidly, which irritates Bri. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025

Ethylene oxide can cause cancer and irritates the nervous and respiratory systems. —Jenni Shearston, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025

Also, the Cane Toad emits a toxin that irritates skin and eyes. —Alan Clemons, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025

Contact dermatitis occurs when your skin is exposed to a substance that irritates it or prompts an allergic reaction, causing an itchy, red rash. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025

Rising temperatures also accelerate the production of ground-level ozone, a harmful gas that irritates airways and can trigger asthma attacks. —Bill Frist, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

There’s also a scene where Sylvie confronts Bob about never talking about his past, a subject that irritates him because of its irrelevance to his larger project. —Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024

Chafing Chafing occurs when skin rubs against skin or clothing, causing friction that irritates the skin. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 27 Nov. 2024

This irritates the lining of the esophagus and causes heartburn. —Jonathan Purtell, Verywell Health, 22 Nov. 2024