Synonyms

irritating

American

[ir-i-tey-ting] / ˈɪr ɪˌteɪ tɪŋ /

adjective

causing irritation; annoying; provoking;

irritating questions.

Other Word Forms

irritatingly adverb
nonirritating adjective
unirritating adjective

Etymology

Origin of irritating

First recorded in 1700–10; irritat(e) + -ing ²

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.

Results have an irritating way of cutting across reasoned opinion - not that Carrick shows any sign of getting swept along.

From BBC

"So I think it's massively important, it's irritating we didn't get on it much earlier."

From BBC

They do so by irritating the linings of the nose and lungs, triggering a reflex that increases breathing rate and blood flow, fostering alertness.

From Los Angeles Times

Book, whom Mr. Gatiss makes lovably irritating, is something of a mystery himself, both in his manner and his circumstances.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s like “6,7,” if it wore a helmet and was more cute than irritating.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023