irritant

1 of 2

noun

ir·​ri·​tant ˈir-ə-tənt How to pronounce irritant (audio)
: something that irritates or excites

irritant

2 of 2

adjective

: 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
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.
Noun
Inflammation is your immune system's natural response to irritants, injuries, or infections. Jillian Kubala, Health, 26 May 2025 This unfortunate side effect is caused by irritants released from the onion cells when your knife slices through. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 16 May 2025
Adjective
The journey from Trump’s threat to slap 50% tariffs on EU imports – to his pause on that threat Sunday – reshapes the process for trade negotiations that had become a growing irritant inside the White House, according to two people familiar with the matter. Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 27 May 2025 As a filmmaker, Aster is two parts visionary to one part irritant. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for irritant

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1802, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1636, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of irritant was in 1636

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Irritant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irritant. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

irritant

1 of 2 adjective
ir·​ri·​tant ˈir-ə-tənt How to pronounce irritant (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce irritant (audio)
: causing irritation
specifically : tending to produce inflammation

irritant

2 of 2 noun
: something that irritates or excites
specifically : an agent by which irritation is produced
a chemical irritant

More from Merriam-Webster on irritant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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