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Irritate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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irritate

[หˆษชrษชหŒteษชt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

feeling

To annoy or provoke someone to the point of anger or frustration.

Synonyms

aggravate, annoy, bother, provoke, vex.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
irritate

Use when something causes slight anger or discomfort, typically a minor or temporary situation.

  • The constant buzzing of the mosquito irritated me.
  • Her loud chewing irritated everyone at the table.
annoy

Use when something causes mild anger or discomfort, often repeatedly. It has a slightly more negative connotation than 'irritate'.

  • The kids were annoyed by the slow internet speed.
  • Her constant interruptions annoyed him.
provoke

Use when something elicits a strong reaction or emotion, usually negative and often intentionally.

  • The rude comment provoked him to respond angrily.
  • Their actions were intended to provoke a reaction.
aggravate

Use when a situation or feeling is made worse or more severe. It can also mean to irritate but with a sense of intensification.

  • Scratching the rash will only aggravate it.
  • His comments aggravated an already tense situation.
vex

Use when something causes irritation or distress, but often used in a more formal or literary context.

  • The delay in delivery vexed the customers.
  • She was vexed by the constant demands.
bother

Use when something causes discomfort or inconvenience, often in a minor way.

  • Does the noise from the construction site bother you?
  • It bothers me when people are late.

Examples of usage

  • He knew how to irritate her by constantly tapping his fingers on the table.
  • The loud music from the party was starting to irritate the neighbors.
  • Don't irritate the dog, or he might bark at you.
  • I try not to let trivial matters irritate me, but sometimes it's hard.
  • She was irritated by his constant interruptions during the meeting.
Context #2 | Verb

skin

To cause inflammation or soreness in a part of the body, especially the skin.

Synonyms

aggravate, bother, exacerbate, inflame, worsen.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
irritate

This word is often used when someone or something causes mild annoyance or discomfort. It can also refer to a physical irritation, such as skin irritation.

  • His constant humming started to irritate me
  • The wool sweater irritated her skin
inflame

This word is used to describe making feelings or a situation more intense or severe, especially emotions like anger or conflict. It has a negative connotation.

  • His inflammatory remarks only served to inflame the crowd
  • The news inflamed public opinion against the politician
aggravate

This word is typically used to describe making a bad situation worse. It has a negative connotation and often implies increasing the severity of a problem.

  • Don't shout, it will only aggravate the argument
  • Ignoring the problem will just aggravate it
exacerbate

This word is used in more formal contexts to describe making a negative situation even worse, particularly in professional or academic settings.

  • The new policy could exacerbate income inequality
  • Using harsh chemicals could exacerbate the skin condition
worsen

This word is straightforward and is used to describe any situation that becomes more severe or bad over time.

  • The weather is expected to worsen over the weekend
  • Her health may worsen without proper medical attention
bother

This word is generally used to describe causing slight trouble, inconvenience, or annoyance. It is often used in everyday situations.

  • It bothers me when you leave your shoes in the hallway
  • Can I bother you for a minute to ask a question?

Examples of usage

  • Wearing tight shoes can irritate the skin on your feet.
  • Some people find that certain fabrics irritate their skin.
  • The mosquito bite started to irritate her, so she applied some cream.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Being irritated often triggers a fight-or-flight response, showing how our bodies react to annoyance.
  • Frequent irritation can lead to stress, impacting both mental and physical health.
  • Researchers found that chronic irritability can be linked to underlying anxiety or mood disorders.

Pop Culture

  • In sitcoms, characters often get comically irritated by mundane things, reflecting everyday frustrations we all can relate to.
  • Famous comedians often use irritation as a theme in their routines, showcasing the humorous side of annoying situations.
  • Popular songs often include themes of irritation in relationships, expressing the feelings that come up when partners rub each other the wrong way.

Science

  • In biology, irritation can refer to the reaction of living tissues to stimuli, such as heat or chemicals.
  • Sound waves at certain frequencies can irritate the ears, leading to discomfort or even pain, showing how sensory perception can be upsetting.
  • The skin can become irritated by allergens or irritants, triggering responses like redness or itching.

Literature

  • Many classic novels feature protagonists who face irritating obstacles, emphasizing the struggle between character and environment.
  • Writers often highlight the theme of irritation to develop characters, revealing their inner conflicts and emotional experiences.
  • Irritation is a common motif in poetry, symbolizing the complexities of human relationships and the nuances of feelings.

Origin of 'irritate'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'irritatus', meaning 'to provoke or excite', showing its roots in causing feelings.
  • It entered the English language in the 15th century, initially describing bodily sensations before evolving to emotional contexts.
  • Related words in other languages reveal similar themes, such as 'irriter' in French and 'irritare' in Italian, which also mean to annoy.

The word 'irritate' comes from the Latin word 'irritatus', which means 'excite, provoke'. It entered the English language in the early 16th century. The original sense was 'stimulate or excite', but over time, it evolved to mean 'annoy or provoke someone'. The verb 'irritate' has been widely used in English literature and everyday language to express feelings of annoyance and frustration.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,108, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.