irritated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "irritated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of annoyance or displeasure towards a situation or person. Example: "She felt irritated when her colleague interrupted her during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

TV & Radio

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet ministers are being urged on by Boris Johnson, who is irritated by flea-bite militancy in London's transport system – the impact of which diminishes with every misuse of Tube drivers' power.

The Guardian

Anglicising my name to Paula irritated me at the most fundamental level but it was also a blessed relief.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Even if somebody's mentally ill they could still be mad at somebody, they could be irritated at someone, they could be offended at somebody," she said.

The Guardian

On the journey from Borehamwood, I had found myself irritated by the fact that I had to put my shisha away at the station.

The Guardian

Yes, Seldon's piece must have irritated the two Eds.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is one of the main things that has irritated the Egyptian culture minister now, and he has a point.

The Guardian - Film

In a preview clip of Thursday's show, Oz recognized that he has "irritated some potential allies" in his "quest to make American healthy".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She irritated the hell out of them, but her style was an intrinsic part of her personality: I argue therefore I am.

The Guardian

Batiatus looks irritated.

The Guardian - Film

It irritated her deeply then.

The Guardian

Mr Bush made clear on the stump that recent hold-ups had irritated him greatly.But there are potential hazards ahead for the president.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's emotional state in writing, consider the intensity of the feeling. "Irritated" suggests a level of annoyance that is more pronounced than simply "bothered" but less intense than "angry".

Common error

In formal writing, avoid overusing "irritated". Opt for synonyms like "displeased" or "aggravated" to maintain a professional tone, especially in business or academic contexts.

Linguistic Context

The word "irritated" functions primarily as an adjective, describing a state of annoyance or frustration. It can also function as the past participle of the verb "irritate". Ludwig, based on the provided examples, confirms this dual functionality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Opinion

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

TV & Radio

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "irritated" functions primarily as an adjective to convey a sense of annoyance or displeasure. Ludwig AI confirms that "irritated" is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly within news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the intensity of the feeling and the formality of the setting when choosing "irritated" over synonyms like "annoyed", "vexed", or "displeased". Based on the usage analysis, it's best to use synonyms in business, academic or scientific writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

annoyed

A general term for feeling bothered or disturbed; less intense than "irritated" in some contexts.

vexed

Implies a slightly more prolonged or intense state of annoyance than "irritated".

aggravated

Suggests a worsening of an already annoying situation, making it more severe than simply "irritated".

bothered

A milder form of annoyance, indicating a slight disturbance or concern, unlike "irritated" which can imply a stronger emotional response.

exasperated

Indicates a state of frustration and impatience, suggesting a higher level of emotional intensity than "irritated".

irked

Similar to "irritated" but suggests a more immediate and sharper feeling of annoyance.

peeved

A more informal and lighthearted way of expressing mild annoyance, unlike the more serious tone of "irritated".

displeased

A formal way of expressing dissatisfaction or mild annoyance; "irritated" can sometimes carry a stronger emotional charge.

miffed

Suggests a slight and often temporary feeling of annoyance, less intense than "irritated".

resentful

Implies a deeper sense of annoyance mixed with bitterness or indignation, unlike the more surface-level feeling of being "irritated".

FAQs

How can I use "irritated" in a sentence?

You can use "irritated" to describe a state of annoyance. For example, "She was "irritated" by the constant noise."

What's the difference between "irritated" and "annoyed"?

"Irritated" and "annoyed" are similar, but "irritated" can suggest a slightly stronger feeling of impatience or frustration.

What can I say instead of "irritated"?

Depending on the context, you could use "vexed", "aggravated", or "bothered" as alternatives to "irritated".

Is it appropriate to use "irritated" in formal writing?

While "irritated" is generally acceptable, in formal contexts, consider using more professional alternatives like "displeased" or "aggravated" to maintain a suitable tone.