as in frustration
the feeling of impatience or anger caused by another's repeated disagreeable acts
Dad's general irritation at the incessant complaining coming from the back seat of the car
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 irritation
Over-exfoliating already dry skin can worsen irritation and increase water loss.
—
Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Another item, a sports hat, contained almost 10 times the regulatory limit for formaldehyde, which can cause skin irritation, respiratory issues, burns and, with prolonged exposure, is considered a potential human carcinogen.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 4 Feb. 2026
Chemical irritants, commonly called tear gas, cause intense pain and irritation of the eyes, skin and upper respiratory tract.
—Michele Heisler, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
While there are a lot of dupes for the Nugget out there, make sure your play couch has removable washable covers, soft fabric, and reversed hideaway zippers to avoid irritation for a child with tactical sensory aversions.
—Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for irritation
Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Another item, a sports hat, contained almost 10 times the regulatory limit for formaldehyde, which can cause skin irritation, respiratory issues, burns and, with prolonged exposure, is considered a potential human carcinogen.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 4 Feb. 2026
Chemical irritants, commonly called tear gas, cause intense pain and irritation of the eyes, skin and upper respiratory tract.
—Michele Heisler, The Conversation, 4 Feb. 2026
While there are a lot of dupes for the Nugget out there, make sure your play couch has removable washable covers, soft fabric, and reversed hideaway zippers to avoid irritation for a child with tactical sensory aversions.
—Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for irritation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritation
Noun
-
Inflation has weighed on shoppers, and customers have voiced frustration over cluttered stores and inconsistent merchandise that strayed from the retailer’s identity as a polished, affordable-chic chain.—
Emily Lorsch,
NBC news,
10 Feb. 2026
-
DeRozan said Sacramento’s poor play was the source of his outward show of frustration following an alley-oop dunk by Zion Williamson in the third period.—
HECTOR AMEZCUA,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Conversations with him on this topic tend to be a bacchanal of profanity and exasperation.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Though Miami has made the playoffs every year this decade, and gone to two Finals in the past six years, fan exasperation stems from a team (with historically high standards and achievement) remaining in play-in purgatory for what’s headed toward a fourth consecutive season.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Otherwise, the biggest throughline of this episode is Jane’s annoyance at the concept of the challenge.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2026
-
That's when a high credit card APR stops being an annoyance and starts becoming a structural problem in your finances.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Close expressed displeasure with that latter category.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Some onlookers cheered, while others voiced their displeasure.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the r/MyBoyfriendisAI subreddit, many users posted about their grief.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
-
As her power-hungry characters go through the five stages of grief, denial is the hardest one to let go of.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irritation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritation. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
