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
And if the girl keeps using the irritating products, prolonged inflammation is known to cause ongoing inappropriate fibroblast activity. Alison Escalante, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 The walls shuddered; a coin on their nightstand began vibrating at an irritating frequency. Anelise Chen, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
This waterproof version of the brand's best-selling, clump-free formula can withstand heat, humidity, and any other moisture that may come your way without irritating sensitive eyes. Sarah Han, Allure, 24 Dec. 2024 A lot of anti-aging skincare contains ingredients like retinol that can be drying and irritating, but Cetaphil has a possible solution. Lauren Taylor, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for irritating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritating
Adjective
  • Few things are as annoying as a vacuum cleaner that leaves a strip of dust by the baseboards and in the corners.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Ding-dong ditched … well into adulthood—one person rang a neighbor's doorbell repeatedly just to be annoying.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Donald Trump defended his harsh new tariffs on Saturday Night Live this week — and maybe took a swipe at last week’s musical guest, too.
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 5 Apr. 2025
  • When the father tried to explain himself, the women criticized him for being too harsh.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 4 Apr. 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
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • For many people, these medications provide a way out of the frustrating cycle of dieting and regaining weight.
    Rowan Briggs, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Those interest rates matter, because of the frustrating math of inflation.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • My strands were very soft post-wash and there was no oil or frizzy, rough texture post-wash.
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 4 Apr. 2025
  • If history provides any clues, the U.S. soybean farmers are in for a rough year.
    Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 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
  • Other times, Claude’s mental activity seems super disturbing and maybe even dangerous.
    Steven Levy, Wired News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Just as disturbing and bizarre, at least one juror originally didn’t want to convict Zeigler at all and didn’t vote to do so until after that same judge ordered the bailiff to give her a Valium.
    Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Irritating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritating. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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