irritative

adjective

ir·​ri·​ta·​tive ˈir-ə-ˌtā-tiv How to pronounce irritative (audio)
1
: serving to excite : irritating
2
: accompanied with or produced by irritation
irritative coughing

Examples of irritative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
These ingredients, which are commonly used to reduce pain and discomfort from bug bites, can be highly irritative. 4. Claire Maldarelli, Popular Science, 7 May 2021 Your itching on the neck may simply be an allergic or irritative response to the elastic in the mask strap. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 22 Oct. 2021 The short-term risks of breathing wildfire smoke include irritative symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, burning eyes, runny nose, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Kellie Hwang, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 May 2021 The short-term risks of breathing in wildfire smoke include irritative symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, burning eyes, runny nose, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Kellie Hwang, SFChronicle.com, 26 Aug. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of irritative was in 1644

Dictionary Entries Near irritative

Cite this Entry

“Irritative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irritative. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

irritative

adjective
ir·​ri·​ta·​tive ˈir-ə-ˌtāt-iv How to pronounce irritative (audio)
1
: serving to excite : irritating
an irritative agent
2
: accompanied with or produced by irritation
irritative coughing
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