irritating

American  

[ir-i-tey-ting] / ˈɪr ɪˌteɪ tɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing irritation; annoying; provoking;

   irritating questions.

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Other Word Forms

• irritatingly adverb
• nonirritating adjective
• unirritating adjective

Etymology

Origin of irritating

First recorded in 1700–10; irritat(e) + -ing ²

Explanation

If something's irritating, it annoys you. To most people, tuneless whistling and fingernails on a chalkboard are both irritating sounds. Irritating things bug you. A little kid kicking the back of your seat on an airplane, a driver who follows you too closely on the highway, an early morning work crew right outside your bedroom window — all of these things can be irritating. A more physical way for something to be irritating is if it causes irritation — like a rash or soreness or pain. Your new watch may be irritating to your skin, leaving a red mark on your wrist.

Example Sentences

Beyond being irritating, mosquitoes spread dangerous diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and Zika, which together cause more than 700,000 deaths each year.

From Science Daily • Mar. 22, 2026

As characters, they may be flamboyant and/or ironic in a way often denied to the central investigators, whom they are likely to find a little irritating.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

They note rapid data center expansion has been being blamed for rising power prices across some states and concerns over environmental issues, noise driving wildlife away and giant humming fans irritating residents.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 24, 2026

Then the pastor made good on his promise to deliver satire with a bit where, in response to a burst of irritating feedback, he heads to the control room.

From Salon • Feb. 22, 2026

The rising sun shone through Jack’s eyelids, irritating him just enough to wake him up.

From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley

Related Words

• annoying
• bothersome
• disturbing