irritate
verb (used with object)
to excite to impatience or anger; annoy.
had been irritating
-
past perfect progressiveof irritate.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While the Magyars had been troubling Germany on the east and south, the Danes had been irritating her on the north.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 7 "Geoponici" to "Germany" by Various
Rosanette had been irritating him all the afternoon with her display of admiration for soldiers, and the old passion was re-awakened.
From Sentimental Education, Volume II The History of a Young Man by Gustave Flaubert
He felt that he had got the better of those two enemies of his who had been irritating him.
From Phyllis of Philistia by Frank Frankfort Moore
Meg's behaviour that day had been irritating to the last degree.
From All Men are Ghosts by L. P. (Lawrence Pearsall) Jacks
Furthermore, that morning the gaping alligator also suggested the countenance of the open-mouthed Files whom Britt had just left in the dining room, and Files had been irritating.
From When Egypt Went Broke by Holman Day
