irritably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "irritably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a manner of speaking or behaving that shows annoyance or impatience. Example: "She responded irritably when asked the same question for the third time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hunt cross-questioned the PM, who said irritably: "You take up this job at 6pm".

The Guardian

Much has been made of Cave's trajectory from wild man of rock to, as he irritably puts it, "Contented of Hove".

Independent

There is no Government car, no civil service aides and, frankly, no real interest from members of the public who irritably push past the small group on their way to warmth of the Tube.

Independent

He caught only a glimpse of her before looking irritably away, but then felt as if he had wronged her in some way.

The New Yorker

When journalists try to pin down the real Soderbergh, he irritably shrugs them off.

The New Yorker

At the same time, he is irritably aware that he admires the mouse's elegance, his air of culture and languor, his easy self-assurance.

The New Yorker

At the end, the heavy drapes wouldn't quite come together until a white, disembodied hand emerged from behind, groped irritably around in the air like a magician's prop, then yanked them shut.

The New Yorker

Up to this point, all that Juno does, including having sex in a chair with her friend Bleek (Michael Cera), is based on nervy impulse, and Ellen Page, a young Canadian actress, speaks rapidly and irritably, nailing Juno's lines with easy precision.

The New Yorker

"The gist of the background witnesses' testimony about conditions in the Polish ghettos, about procedures in the various death camps, about forced labor, and, generally, the attempt to exterminate through labor, was never in dispute," she wrote irritably; "on the contrary there was hardly anything in what they told that had not been known before".

The New Yorker

My most secret self had been made to respond, and I was intensely embarrassed, and irritably ducked my head out from under her melodramatic hand.

The New Yorker

Every now and again, he clucked and shook his head irritably, and sometimes he threw up his hands in outrage.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "irritably" to precisely convey a sense of annoyed or impatient action or speech. It adds a nuanced layer of emotion to descriptions, making them more vivid.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "irritably" in your writing. Vary your descriptions by using synonyms or describing the specific actions and expressions that convey irritation, such as a sigh, eye roll, or sharp tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "irritably" is to modify verbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes actions done with annoyance or impatience. For example, "He shrugged "irritably"", shows how he shrugged.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "irritably" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverb to describe actions performed with annoyance or impatience. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While highly versatile, diversifying your writing with synonyms like "impatiently" or "testily" can enhance clarity and prevent overuse. This guide offers practical advice and addresses common queries to aid effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

testily

Suggests a sharp, abrupt tone of voice indicating irritation.

exasperatedly

Emphasizes the feeling of being intensely annoyed or frustrated.

impatiently

Focuses specifically on the aspect of impatience rather than general irritation.

with annoyance

Similar to "in an annoyed manner", this phrase emphasizes the feeling of annoyance.

crossly

Indicates a bad-tempered or slightly angry manner.

in an annoyed manner

Replaces the single adverb with a prepositional phrase, offering a slightly more formal tone.

in a snappish tone

Highlights the use of a sharp, cutting tone to express irritation.

in a grumpy way

Conveys a general sense of dissatisfaction and irritation.

pettishly

Implies a childish or sulky display of irritation.

with a frustrated sigh

Describes the physical expression of frustration accompanying irritation.

FAQs

How can I use "irritably" in a sentence?

"Irritably" is an adverb that describes how someone performs an action with annoyance. For example, "He replied "irritably" to the constant questioning".

What are some synonyms for "irritably"?

Alternatives to "irritably" include "impatiently", "testily", "crossly", and "exasperatedly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in an irritable manner" instead of "irritably"?

Yes, "in an irritable manner" is a grammatically correct alternative to "irritably". It's a longer phrase that provides a slightly more formal tone.

What is the difference between "irritably" and "angrily"?

"Irritably" suggests a state of annoyance or impatience, while "angrily" implies a stronger emotion of anger. Someone might respond "irritably" to a minor inconvenience, but shout angrily in response to a significant offense.