Irritate (Verb)

Meaning ¹

Excite to an abnormal condition, or chafe or inflame; "Aspirin irritates my stomach".

Classification

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care.

Examples

• The spicy food irritates my throat when I try to swallow it.
• Tight shoes can irritate blisters on sensitive skin.
• Excessive use of bright lights can irritate the eyes of people who are sensitive to it.
• Dust mites in carpets can irritate allergy sufferers.
• Certain chemicals in soap can irritate skin conditions like eczema.

Antonyms

• Soothe

Hypernyms

• Aggravate
• Exacerbate
• Exasperate

Hyponyms

• Gall
• Scratch
• Fret
• Itch

Related Words

• Irritation (noun)
• Irritative (adjective)

Meaning ²

Excite to some characteristic action or condition, such as motion, contraction, or nervous impulse, by the application of a stimulus; "irritate the glands of a leaf".

Classification

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..

Examples

• Certain environmental factors can irritate the skin cells of an organism, leading to an allergic reaction.
• The mechanical stress of the wind irritates the seed pods, causing them to open and release their seeds.
• Researchers found that certain chemicals can irritate the cells in a plant's roots, causing them to grow more rapidly.
• The low pH level of the rainwater can irritate the leaves of some plant species, triggering a defense response.
• The hormone auxin can irritate the cells in the plant stem, causing them to elongate and grow taller.

Hypernyms

• Excite

Hyponyms

• Vellicate

Related Words

• Irritation (noun)
• Irritative (adjective)

Meaning ³

Cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations; "Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me"; "It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves".

Classification

Verbs of feeling.

Examples

• The constant noise from the construction site irritates me every morning.
• She found it annoying that her brother would constantly tap his pen on the table and it would irritate her for hours.
• It irritates him that the neighbors always park their car in front of his house.
• The scratchy fabric of the dress began to irritate my skin after a few hours of wearing it.
• The salesperson's pushy behavior irritates me and I just want to leave the store.

Synonyms

• Get To
• Get At
• Gravel
• Chafe
• Rag
• Bother
• Nettle
• Vex
• Devil
• Nark
• Annoy
• Rile

Hypernyms

• Displease

Hyponyms

• Harry
• Chivvy
• Antagonize
• Harass
• Antagonise
• Fret
• Hassle
• Molest
• Provoke
• Get
• Peeve
• Rankle
• Grate
• Beset
• Eat Into
• Chevvy
• Chivy
• Get Under One's Skin
• Ruffle
• Plague

Related Words

• Irritation (noun)
• Irritant (noun)