1
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
constant chatter irritated the student, who was trying to concentrate on a hard assignment
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Recent Examples of irritate
Additionally, eye discharge or tear stains: This can irritate the skin and may need gentle cleaning.
—
David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
The constant public insistence on Ukrainian involvement has irritated Mr. Trump.
—Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
But to my surprise, ABH’s Blurring Serum Blush didn’t irritate my skin in the slightest.
—Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 20 Feb. 2025
The formula gets all my makeup off, doesn’t irritate my eyes, and preps my skin for the next step of my double cleanse.
—Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irritate
David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
The constant public insistence on Ukrainian involvement has irritated Mr. Trump.
—Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
But to my surprise, ABH’s Blurring Serum Blush didn’t irritate my skin in the slightest.
—Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 20 Feb. 2025
The formula gets all my makeup off, doesn’t irritate my eyes, and preps my skin for the next step of my double cleanse.
—Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irritate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irritate
Verb
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Instead of getting annoyed, try again a few minutes later and remember, never vent your frustration to your cats.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
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Since then, Lorenzo had been aggressive in pushing the Pinos to seek better medical expertise to get to the bottom of Tatiana’s health problems — an effort that reportedly annoyed Sergio.—
Catherine Odom,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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An investigation revealed the suspect pulled the victim’s hair and scratched the victim’s face two days prior.—
Anne Gelhaus,
The Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2025
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Summiting Mount Everest is on so many avid travelers’ must-do lists; join the fray and scratch that itch this month.—
Mark Ellwood,
AFAR Media,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Gathering at Scripps Research’s third annual Pandemic Preparedness Symposium last week, researchers working in virology and chemistry did not bother to debate whether or not H5N1 avian influenza will clear this rapidly shrinking hurdle.—
Paul Sisson,
The Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2025
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As Caro settled into life in a new country, one thing often bothered him.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Now, add the wine and scrape any of those yummy brown bits off the bottom of the pan.—
Claudia Alexander,
The Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2025
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Each page was scraped about seven times on average.—
Rashi Shrivastava,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Hackman is a detective who specializes in audio surveillance, spying on and bugging strangers, a wiretapper capturing them in incriminating secrets, yet unable to empathize or bond with any real-life humans.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
27 Feb. 2025
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Ahead of the trial, Sherborne alleged the newspapers had used deception to obtain his clients' medical, phone and flight records, as well as bugging homes and placing listening devices into cars.—
Max Taylor,
NBC News,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Republican state lawmakers in recent years have typically chafed at legislation that could be framed as an increase in taxes.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
4 Mar. 2025
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Such remarks offer little cover for Republicans like Mr. Sessions facing tough questions from voters who are beginning to chafe at the changes Mr. Trump is pursuing.—
Robert Jimison,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Rwanda has claimed the Tutsis are being persecuted by Hutus and former militias responsible for the 1994 genocide of 800,000 Tutsis and others in Rwanda.—
CHINEDU ASADU,
arkansasonline.com,
17 Feb. 2025
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Miller wrote the play as an allegory for McCarthyism, when the U.S. government persecuted people of being communists.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The shift may not only draw anger from Israel's emboldened far right but also aggravate divisions within Trump's own administration between an old conservative guard seeking a more assertive posture on Iran and the rising cadre of Trump loyalists who more closely share the president's vision.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
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Vargas, 38, of Osteen, pleaded guilty on Aug. 21 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit money laundering, prosecutors said.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Irritate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irritate. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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