: causing irritation
specifically
: tending to produce physical irritation
Examples of irritant in a Sentence
Noun
dust and other lung irritants
The delay was a minor irritant.
Recent Examples on the Web
Katie Bowles, SELF, 25 Feb. 2025
The vacuum includes two HEPA filters and a five-stage filtration system that is able to capture 99.9 percent of fine particles so that your air is as purified as possible and free of potential allergens and irritants.
—Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 12 Feb. 2025
Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Trump’s second term has already been a much bigger irritant to allies than his relatively restrained first mandate.
—Juan Pablo Spinetto, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irritant
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Noun
Staying comfortable also means avoiding known allergens or irritants, blowing your nose gently as needed, and drinking plenty of fluids to keep your mucus thin.
—Katie Bowles, SELF, 25 Feb. 2025
The vacuum includes two HEPA filters and a five-stage filtration system that is able to capture 99.9 percent of fine particles so that your air is as purified as possible and free of potential allergens and irritants.
—Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Hachimura was a gravelly irritant, checking Jokić all around the half-court and denying ball entry in the post.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Trump’s second term has already been a much bigger irritant to allies than his relatively restrained first mandate.
—Juan Pablo Spinetto, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irritant
Cite this Entry
“Irritant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irritant. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
irritant
1 of 2 adjective
ir·ri·tant
ˈir-ə-tənt 
: tending to produce anger, annoyance, impatience, soreness, or inflammation
especially
: tending to produce physical irritation
irritant
2 of 2 noun
: something that irritates
Medical Definition
irritant
1 of 2 adjective
ir·ri·tant
ˈir-ə-tənt
: causing irritation
specifically
: tending to produce inflammation
irritant
2 of 2 noun
: something that irritates or excites
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