irritated by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "irritated by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express annoyance or displeasure caused by someone or something. Example: "She was irritated by the constant noise coming from the construction site next door."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"People were irritated by her, or irritated by those who were irritated," Ms. Green said.

The New York Times

They get irritated by corruption.

The New York Times

Irritated by Michael McIntyre?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Irritated by the changes?

The New York Times

Irritated by art-world elitism?

The Guardian - Arts

I'm still irritated by it.

The Guardian

I'm not irritated by it"...

The New York Times - Sports

I'm irritated by my own lameness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She is irritated by its abuse.

The Guardian

Brazilians elsewhere are irritated by the northeast.

The New York Times

Some people are irritated by it".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "irritated by", ensure the subject causing the irritation is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, "He was irritated by the constant interruptions" is clearer than "He was irritated."

Common error

While both prepositions can follow "irritated", "by" typically refers to the cause of irritation (e.g., "irritated by the noise"), whereas "with" usually refers to the object of irritation (e.g., "irritated with his behavior"). Using the wrong preposition can alter the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "irritated by" functions as a predicate adjective describing a subject's emotional state. It indicates that someone or something is causing annoyance or displeasure. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "irritated by" is a common and grammatically sound way to express annoyance or displeasure caused by something or someone. As Ludwig confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, from news articles to personal blogs. When using "irritated by", it's essential to clearly identify the source of the irritation. While similar phrases like "annoyed by" or "frustrated by" can be used as alternatives, they carry slightly different connotations. Remember to choose the preposition carefully ("by" for the cause, "with" for the object) to ensure your intended meaning is accurately conveyed. The phrase sees frequent use in "News & Media", "Science" and "Wiki" context, proving a versatile phrase. Ludwig can help you find even more examples to contextualize the use of "irritated by" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

annoyed by

Direct synonym, expressing mild anger or frustration. More interchangeable with "irritated by".

bothered by

Similar to "irritated by", but can also imply a sense of being inconvenienced or disturbed.

frustrated by

Indicates a feeling of being upset or annoyed because of an inability to change or achieve something.

exasperated by

Implies a higher degree of annoyance and impatience than "irritated by".

aggravated by

Suggests that something has made a feeling of annoyance or anger worse.

vexed by

A more formal and less common synonym for "irritated by", indicating annoyance or worry.

perturbed by

Indicates a feeling of anxiety or unease caused by something.

displeased with

Expresses dissatisfaction or disapproval with something.

peeved at

A more informal way of saying "irritated by", suggesting a mild feeling of annoyance.

put off by

Suggests that something has caused a feeling of dislike or discouragement.

FAQs

How can I use "irritated by" in a sentence?

You can use "irritated by" to express annoyance or displeasure caused by someone or something. For example, "She was "irritated by" the constant noise coming from the construction site next door."

What can I say instead of "irritated by"?

You can use alternatives like "annoyed by", "bothered by", or "frustrated by" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "irritated with" instead of "irritated by"?

Both "irritated by" and "irritated with" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Irritated by" typically refers to the cause of the irritation, while "irritated with" refers to the object of the irritation. Choose the preposition that best fits the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "irritated by" and "frustrated by"?

"Irritated by" suggests a feeling of annoyance or impatience, while "frustrated by" indicates a feeling of being upset or annoyed because of an inability to change or achieve something. The key difference lies in whether the focus is on simple annoyance or annoyance combined with a sense of being blocked or hindered.