Irritability: meaning, definitions and examples

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irritability

[ɪˌrɪtəˈbɪlɪti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

psychology

Irritability is a state of excessive sensitivity to stimuli, characterized by a tendency to react with anger or annoyance. It is often a symptom of various psychological disorders such as anxiety or depression.

Synonyms

agitation, crankiness, grumpiness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
irritability	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.
agitation	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.
grumpiness	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.
crankiness	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.

Examples of usage

The patient's irritability was a clear sign of the underlying mental health issues.
Her irritability towards small noises indicated a high level of stress.
The irritability of the child increased as the day went on.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

biology

In biology, irritability refers to the ability of an organism or a cell to respond to stimuli. This response can be exhibited through movement, growth, or other physiological changes.

Synonyms

reactivity, responsiveness, sensitivity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
irritability	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.
responsiveness	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.
reactivity	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.
sensitivity	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.

Examples of usage

The plant's irritability towards sunlight resulted in its leaves turning towards the light.
Muscle irritability is crucial for the body's response to physical activity.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Being irritable can be a sign of stress, showing how our feelings can change with pressure from daily life.
Studies suggest that lack of sleep can heighten feelings of irritability, proving how important rest is for our mood.
Certain mental health conditions, like anxiety and depression, often include irritability as a key symptom.

Health

Physical health issues, such as thyroid problems, can lead to increased irritability through hormonal changes.
Diet plays a role too; consuming excess sugar and caffeine might lead to feelings of agitation and irritability.
Certain medications can impact mood and behavior, resulting in heightened sensitivity and irritability.

Cultural Observations

Communication styles vary; some cultures encourage expressing annoyance openly, while others promote keeping feelings inside.
In literature and films, characters often display irritability to emphasize their struggles or conflicts, making the story relatable.
Art can also reflect moments of irritability, capturing human emotions in ways that resonate with viewers.

Etymology

The term comes from the Latin word 'irritabilis,' which means able to be irritated, showing its connection to response and reaction.
Middle English adopted the term in the late 15th century, initially used in medical contexts to describe bodily responses.
It has evolved to encompass broader emotional reactions, expanding from physical irritability to encompassing mood and temperament.

Translations

Translations of the word "irritability" in other languages:

🇵🇹 irritabilidade

🇮🇳 चिड़चिड़ापन

🇩🇪 Reizbarkeit

🇮🇩 iritabilitas

🇺🇦 дратівливість

🇵🇱 drażliwość

🇯🇵 過敏性

🇫🇷 irritabilité

🇪🇸 irritabilidad

🇹🇷 sinirlilik

🇰🇷 과민성

🇸🇦 التهيج

🇨🇿 podrážděnost

🇸🇰 podráždenosť

🇨🇳 易怒

🇸🇮 razdražljivost

🇮🇸 pirringur

🇰🇿 ашуланғыштық

🇬🇪 გაღიზიანება

🇦🇿 qıcıqlanma

🇲🇽 irritabilidad

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,477, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

...
14474 choral
14475 subconscious
14476 rigging
14477 irritability
14478 unsuccessfully
14479 assimilate
14480 detectives
...