: 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
Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 28 Mar. 2025
In fact, the brand follows the National Eczema Association's ingredient guidelines to avoid irritants and allergens.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Cubs fans of a certain age look at a four-year playoff drought as a minor irritant, a mere blip in their timeline of Cubbing.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irritant
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
Common triggers include environmental allergens, foods, and skin irritants.
—Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 28 Mar. 2025
In fact, the brand follows the National Eczema Association's ingredient guidelines to avoid irritants and allergens.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
What To Know The Center for Countering Disinformation, a branch of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said on Wednesday that Russia was using CS gas, an irritant chemical, in its Shahed explosive drones.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Cubs fans of a certain age look at a four-year playoff drought as a minor irritant, a mere blip in their timeline of Cubbing.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for irritant
Cite this Entry
“Irritant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irritant. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
irritant
1 of 2 adjective
ir·ri·tant
ˈir-ə-tənt 
: 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
: causing irritation
specifically
: tending to produce inflammation
irritant
2 of 2 noun
: something that irritates or excites
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share