irritate
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for irritate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To annoy or make someone impatient or angry.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use irritate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
irritate the skin
it really irritates me
Etymology
From Latin irritatus, past participle of irritare, "to excite or provoke."
Full origin of irritate →Frequently asked questions
What does “irritate” mean?
The word “irritate” means to annoy or make someone impatient or angry. In plain terms, to annoy someone, or to cause physical soreness or discomfort.
How do you pronounce “irritate”?
“Irritate” is pronounced IHR-ih-tayt (/ˈɪɹ.ɪˌteɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “irritate” in a sentence?
Here is “irritate” used in a sentence: “His constant tapping on the desk irritates me.”
What part of speech is “irritate”?
“Irritate” is a verb.
Where does the word “irritate” come from?
The word “irritate” comes from Latin. From Latin irritatus, past participle of irritare, "to excite or provoke.".
How many meanings does “irritate” have?
“Irritate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to annoy or make someone impatient or angry.
