1
as in to annoy
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of irritate
Getting heart-pumping exercise at home doesn’t have to irritate your joints.
—
Jenny McCoy, SELF, 21 July 2025
Chafing is an irritating skin condition caused by friction.
—Rachael Zimlich, Verywell Health, 17 July 2025
What kind of father could be irritated by so charming and salutary a request?
—Michael W. Clune, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
Avoid tight clothing: Underwear or clothing that is too tight may cause friction that irritates the skin and leads to bumps.
Shower after sweating: After a workout or time outdoors, shower right away to avoid sitting in sweaty clothes.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for irritate
Jenny McCoy, SELF, 21 July 2025
Chafing is an irritating skin condition caused by friction.
—Rachael Zimlich, Verywell Health, 17 July 2025
What kind of father could be irritated by so charming and salutary a request?
—Michael W. Clune, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
Avoid tight clothing: Underwear or clothing that is too tight may cause friction that irritates the skin and leads to bumps.
Shower after sweating: After a workout or time outdoors, shower right away to avoid sitting in sweaty clothes.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for irritate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritate
Verb
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That acquisition annoyed shareholders and customers alike, with investors taking issue with the fact that it was structured to avoid a vote.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
25 July 2025
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However, in addition to the controversy over self-grading the results, OpenAI also annoyed the IMO community because its Saturday announcement appears to have violated the embargo agreement with the International Mathematical Olympiad.—
Benj Edwards,
ArsTechnica,
21 July 2025
Verb
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Just bruises that faded — purple legs, arms, and scratches on my back.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
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McVicker’s face is a painting with the energy of a neon sign, and Fast boasts a black cat sexiness that threatens to claw out of the screen and scratch you.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
24 July 2025
Verb
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This means that some people might not bother using them.—
Ben Coxworth
July 26,
New Atlas,
26 July 2025
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But one aspect of his robberies bothers him to this day.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
26 July 2025
Verb
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For instance, if an AI agent is scraping a website or making a purchase, the system determines whether that action aligns with approved behavior.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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Using a spatula, scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl and stir in any remaining uneven parts. Bake and cool.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 July 2025
Verb
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That question also bugs the folks at The Utility Reform Network.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
31 July 2025
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Advertisement Advertisement Code of Silence (BritBox) In this UK drama, police tracking a criminal organization that meets in locations that can’t be bugged recruit a deaf canteen employee, Alison Brooks (Rose Ayling-Ellis), to read suspects’ lips in surveillance videos.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 July 2025
Verb
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In recent sessions, some state leaders and individual lawmakers have chafed under the rules that make for a slow start, which in turn always means a mad rush at the end to get bills over the finish line.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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The hope was that the Milwaukee Bucks — who, just months after winning their first NBA title, were chafing at the limitations of the Milwaukee Arena — would be a high-profile tenant of the new complex.—
Chris Foran,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Soliman spent about four years at Cincinnati Children's, first arriving in the United States in 2014 after being persecuted in his native Egypt for work in support of freelance journalists.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
The Enquirer,
25 July 2025
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The state government, closely aligned with Virginia’s de facto official Anglican church, persecuted Baptists during the 18th century.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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The fall aggravated damage to his neck and back from an ATV accident 16 years before.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
22 July 2025
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Jail records show Denis, who is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, is also facing fleeing and eluding and aggravated battery charges.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
21 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Irritate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritate. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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