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Definition of irritate

irritate

/ˈɪr.ə.teɪt/
ir · ri · tate
Adverb:irritatingly
•
Adjective:irritating
•
Past Simple:irritated
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Past Participle:irritated
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Present Participle:irritating
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irritate Lexical Profile

irritate Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To make someone feel annoyed, impatient, or mildly angry.

Example

"The constant tapping of his pen on the desk began to irritate the other students in the library."

2

To cause inflammation, soreness, or physical discomfort in a part of the body.

Example

"Harsh laundry detergents and synthetic fabrics can easily irritate sensitive skin."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for irritate
Antonyms
View all antonyms for irritate

Word Nuance & Usage

In formal usage, 'irritate' (to annoy or inflame) is distinguished from 'aggravate' (strictly meaning to make a bad situation worse), though the two are frequently used interchangeably in casual speech.

• Nearby Words

irritably
irritancy
irritant
irritate
irritatedly
irritating
irritatingly

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the early 16th century from the Latin 'irritatus', the past participle of 'irritare', meaning 'to excite, provoke, or exasperate'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Irritate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/irritate
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