: causing irritation
specifically
: tending to produce physical irritation
Synonyms
Examples of irritant in a Sentence
Noun
dust and other lung irritants
The delay was a minor irritant.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 11 Oct. 2024
This bug bite suction tool removes the venom and irritants left on your body around the bite to keep your skin from itching and swelling.
—Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2024
Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2024
Chemical irritation of the skin, known as irritant dermatitis, can also lead to a chronic hangnail infection.1
A chronic hangnail infection usually affects more than one finger or toe at a time, takes longer to develop symptoms, and lasts longer.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for irritant 
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Noun
All wounds heal faster in clean, moist environments, and this thick occlusive (the main ingredient in Vaseline and Aquaphor) will not only lock in hydration, but also protect the open wound from potential irritants like sweat and bacteria.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 11 Oct. 2024
This bug bite suction tool removes the venom and irritants left on your body around the bite to keep your skin from itching and swelling.
—Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Public debate about the massacre has long been an irritant for South Korean conservatives, who have at times sought to downplay the government’s role or promoted conspiracy theories that the protests were an act of North Korean subterfuge.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2024
Chemical irritation of the skin, known as irritant dermatitis, can also lead to a chronic hangnail infection.1
A chronic hangnail infection usually affects more than one finger or toe at a time, takes longer to develop symptoms, and lasts longer.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 9 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for irritant
Dictionary Entries Near irritant
Cite this Entry
“Irritant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irritant. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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
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