as in headaches
something that is a source of irritation
the whining child was a constant irritant to his long-suffering parents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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 irritants
An open window, your shoes, or even your clothing could bring in pollen or other outdoor irritants.
—
Angie Hicks, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Many older people suffer from symptoms that resemble pollen allergies—runny nose and congestion—but the majority of these seniors are actually bothered by other airborne irritants, such as cigarette smoke, perfumes or cleaning products.
—Matt Fuchs, Scientific American, 15 Apr. 2026
Natural solutions like baking soda mixed with essential oils or a light vinegar spray for odors and stains are gentler alternatives that avoid introducing new irritants into your sleep environment.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
That means every room your kids sleep, play and eat in gets a fresh dose of dust particles and irritants — especially important if anyone in the house has allergies or asthma.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
Trump is shrugging them off, entering a state of weightlessness where all thought of consequences and all concern for mundane irritants like inflation and affordability are left behind.
—Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 2026
Vines that contain irritants should also not be added to the compost pile or burned because the smoke can be toxic.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
Poor ventilation in office buildings, along with tight quarters and air filters that aren’t regularly cleaned or replaced, can allow dust, allergens, and other irritants to build up—potentially contributing to dry eyes, skin irritation, or dull-looking skin.
—Allison Forsyth, Health, 8 Apr. 2026
These common irritants can pass right through a standard vacuum filter and get blown back into the air.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Angie Hicks, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Many older people suffer from symptoms that resemble pollen allergies—runny nose and congestion—but the majority of these seniors are actually bothered by other airborne irritants, such as cigarette smoke, perfumes or cleaning products.
—Matt Fuchs, Scientific American, 15 Apr. 2026
Natural solutions like baking soda mixed with essential oils or a light vinegar spray for odors and stains are gentler alternatives that avoid introducing new irritants into your sleep environment.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
That means every room your kids sleep, play and eat in gets a fresh dose of dust particles and irritants — especially important if anyone in the house has allergies or asthma.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
Trump is shrugging them off, entering a state of weightlessness where all thought of consequences and all concern for mundane irritants like inflation and affordability are left behind.
—Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 9 Apr. 2026
Vines that contain irritants should also not be added to the compost pile or burned because the smoke can be toxic.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
Poor ventilation in office buildings, along with tight quarters and air filters that aren’t regularly cleaned or replaced, can allow dust, allergens, and other irritants to build up—potentially contributing to dry eyes, skin irritation, or dull-looking skin.
—Allison Forsyth, Health, 8 Apr. 2026
These common irritants can pass right through a standard vacuum filter and get blown back into the air.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritants
Noun
-
The real story behind one of Texas’ biggest wildlife headaches starts with a decision the state made on purpose.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Some journalists draw a line between the government's mounting headaches and its escalating attacks on the messengers of that news.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
If data centers eventually are included, for example, neighbors could take a hit due to impacts on electricity costs, water access, industrial noise and other nuisances that can come into play when a megaproject moves in next door.—
David Greising,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Not all ants are bad for the garden—some help with soil health and pest control—but fire ants and carpenter ants can be serious nuisances or hazards.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Patriots are also expected to trade for AJ Brown, a wide receiver known as much for his sideline frustrations and off-field antics as his production.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
After spending more than two million dollars on VIP jet charter services, his frustrations with the industry reached a boiling point.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Also known as seaberry, Fried says this plant is notable for its resistance to deer because of its sharp thorns and tree-like height.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Use clean pruners to trim away shoots, thorns, or roots along the soil and to help maintain the tree’s size.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Despite the annoyances, the smile is genuine.—
Maxwell Adler,
Vanity Fair,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Her examples highlight how a small, inexpensive tool — or in this case, a repurposed one — can solve minor annoyances throughout daily life.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The modern world forces us to waste time doing cost-benefit analyses of various inconveniences.—
Caroline Mimbs Nyce,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Projects like this almost always result in some inconveniences for businesses, homeowners and motorists.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irritants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritants. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
