irritating 1 of 2

irritating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of irritate
1
2
as in scratching
to make sore by continued rubbing new shoes usually irritate my feet

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 irritating
Adjective
There’s never been a more irritating trio of possible playoff opponents than Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler and Dan Hayes. Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025 Waking up to a bird squawking in the middle of the night– well that’s just irritating. Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
Avoid Chewy Foods Chewy or crunchy foods can be irritating for people with bruxism. Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Verywell Health, 26 Mar. 2025 Ingredients could have broken down into irritating chemicals once past their expiration date or there could be bacteria and yeast growing in the product, which could lead to infection and forms of skin irritation such as bumps and rashes. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for irritating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritating
Adjective
  • While the wrinkling could be slightly annoying for some, given the luxurious feel of the sateen cover, the wrinkling wasn’t a deal breaker.
    Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 30 May 2025
  • For anyone with wide feet who’s used to settling for less in terms of fit, this slip-on style is a breath of fresh air—no annoying break-in period, no hotspots, and no slipping around.
    Lauren Paige Richeson, Health, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • Though Nicole reserves her harshest jabs for Jorgeous, the real heat is between Tina and Mistress.
    Chris Feil, Vulture, 23 May 2025
  • Padilla had harsh comments for the president and the GOP in a statement Thursday after the House vote.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Rodin Cars The big idea behind Rodin is to build cars without bothering about vehicle regulations – in stark contrast to F1 cars, which are subject to several rules around how they're put together.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Jan. 2025
  • The city and state have also been ramping up efforts to engage troubled vagrants sleeping and sometimes bothering straphangers, connecting them with services and shelter and potentially involuntary treatment.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Similar to a sheet pan, whole meals can be built in a Dutch oven, scratching that same itch for convenience and less clean up.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2024
  • But that’s just scratching the surface – addressing only the symptoms of the underlying challenges and only addressing them at the end of the SDLC process.
    Jeremy Vaughan, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • To help avoid these frustrating and disappointing situations, travelers should plan to bring along a healthy dose of skepticism on their next trip—and think twice before paying for any offer that sounds too good to be true.
    Jessica Puckett, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2025
  • All of which is just my way of explaining why fans, who love these stories, might be distraught and might see all the success Martin has had thanks to his unfinished work and the support of his fans, as frustrating.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • If your skin is extremely dry and rough, however, the La Roche-Posay Body Moisturizer is rich in prebiotic thermal water, shea butter, and niacinamide is another one of Tookes’ recommendations.
    India Espy-Jones, Essence, 2 June 2025
  • Cloudy skies, rough surf and limited battery life can all reduce their effectiveness.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • Helped by the transaxle layout, the massive power gains, and sublime styling inside and out, the Vantage also requires less of the sacrifices dictated by low-slung mid-engine supercars that demand constant vigilance to avoid scraping on speed bumps, rough canyon roads, or driveways.
    Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
  • The scraping sensations shouldn't be painful but may feel slightly uncomfortable.
    Carley Millhone, Health, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Nothing has officially happened yet, but the tension is disturbing with the consequences potentially devastating.
    Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2025
  • That’s a quite disturbing possibility since AGI could wield such an act on a scale of immense magnitude and with globally adverse consequences.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Irritating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritating. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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