Irritability: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when someone is easily annoyed or angered, often for no apparent reason. It can refer to a temporary mood or a more persistent state.

• His irritability increased when he didn't get enough sleep.
• The stress of the job led to a lot of irritability.

Refers to a state of nervousness or restlessness, often visible through physical movements like pacing or fidgeting. It is commonly used in more serious or clinical contexts, such as describing symptoms of anxiety disorders.

• She found herself in a state of constant agitation before the exam.
• The news of the accident caused agitation among the family members.

Used to describe a mild, persistent bad mood. Often implies that someone is acting grouchy or grumpy in a way that's noticeable to others but not necessarily severe.

• Morning grumpiness is common in our house.
• She apologized for her grumpiness after the long flight.

Describes a state of being easily annoyed or in a bad mood, often used more informally or lightly compared to 'irritability'. It suggests temporary or minor discomfort.

• His crankiness was evident after he skipped breakfast.
• The toddler's crankiness was due to missing nap time.

Use this word when referring to an emotional state where someone easily becomes annoyed or angry. Often connected to stress or discomfort.

• Due to lack of sleep, he showed significant irritability throughout the day.
• Her irritability was obvious whenever someone interrupted her.

This word generally has a positive connotation and refers to how quickly and effectively someone or something reacts to requests, needs, or changes.

• The customer service team's responsiveness improved after the new training program.
• The responsiveness of the new software to user commands is impressive.

Often used in scientific or technical contexts, this term refers to how readily a substance or individual responds to stimuli or changes. Can also be used emotionally to describe someone who reacts strongly to situations.

• The chemical's reactivity with water is extremely high.
• Her high reactivity to criticism makes it difficult to give her feedback.

Can be used both in a positive way (to describe someone who is empathetic) or in a more neutral/negative way (to describe someone who reacts strongly to physical or emotional stimuli).

• Her sensitivity to others' feelings makes her a great counselor.
• He had to change his diet due to sensitivity to gluten.