irritation

[ir-i-tey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of irritating or the state of being irritated.

2. something that irritates.

3. Physiology, Pathology.

   1. the bringing of a bodily part or organ to an abnormally excited or sensitive condition.

   2. the condition itself.

irritation

/ ˌɪrɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. something that irritates

2. the act of irritating or the condition of being irritated

Other Word Forms

• irritative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of irritation¹

First recorded in 1580–90, irritation is from the Latin word irrītātiōn- (stem of irrītātiō ). See irritate, -ion

Example Sentences

Prosecutors told a court in Aachen that he showed "irritation" and a lack of empathy to patients who required a higher level of care, and accused him of playing "master of life and death".

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While some of the Governor’s assertions were challenged—Louisiana taxpayers will not be writing a check for Kelly’s buyout, officials confirmed—his baffled irritation isn’t out of place.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mr Barlow has now been prescribed antidepressants and sleeping tablets, and his optician suspected his persistent eye irritation may have been caused by the mould and damp.

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But escape from the irritations of that companionship seems a still bleaker prospect—and an impossibility.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

James has been out all season with right sciatica irritation, and Doncic has been out since last Sunday with a left finger sprain and a lower left leg contusion.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• inflammation 
• irritability 
• soreness www.thesaurus.com
• tenderness www.thesaurus.com