irritating

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'irritating' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word 'irritating' to describe things or people that make you feel impatient, angry, or annoyed. Example sentence: The endless traffic jams are incredibly irritating.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yes, it might be irritating for those who don't really come across it in their lives to be constantly reminded of the agonies of the most miserable species on the planet.

The Guardian - Opinion

Periods and skin complaints were irritating yet expected worries at 21, but the mention of infertility sent me into a panic.

The Guardian

But no one can find anything in his record (29 wins, four defeats) that suggests he has a possibility of doing anything against Tyson, who has yet to find another individual with gloves on capable of being more than mildly irritating.

The Guardian - Sport

MyStudentHomeworkPlanner on Chrome or MyHomeWorkApp to eradicate those irritating reminder conversations at break time.

The Guardian

The Observer's drama critic Susannah Clapp described her acting as "both innocent and ironic, appealing and irritating.

The Guardian - Film

This may be irritating to the government and diminish their importance in your eyes, but part of their purpose is to be less swayed by the convulsions of public opinion than politicians are.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The child is all the time talking, irritating, making noises and trouble".

The Guardian

Film characters who sound suspiciously like film students are becoming increasingly common, and increasingly irritating.

The Economist

And irritating genuine customers is bad for business.

The Economist

Mr Sullivan's former boss, Bernie Ebbers, was accused of securities fraud in Oklahoma, irritating federal regulators who have yet to file charges.

The Economist

In recent commentary about it, you'll find it called "completely infuriating" and "draconian", "the dumbest rule ever", "stupid" and "bullshit".... Of course the ban is irritating.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "irritating" with specific details to show the exact nature of the irritation and avoid being vague.

Common error

While "irritating" is generally acceptable, it can sound too informal in professional or academic writing. Opt for words like "problematic", "troublesome", or "unsettling" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

Irritating functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that causes annoyance or impatience. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in a wide range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "irritating" is a versatile adjective used to describe something causing annoyance or impatience. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, as demonstrated by the numerous examples provided. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the specific context and choose synonyms if a more formal tone is needed. In summary, "irritating" is a common and useful word for expressing mild disapproval, but mindful usage ensures clarity and appropriateness. For stronger feelings of disapproval, synonyms like "exasperating" or "infuriating" might better convey the sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

annoying

A more direct synonym, focusing on the act of causing annoyance.

exasperating

Implies a higher degree of frustration and loss of patience.

aggravating

Highlights the act of making a situation or feeling worse.

bothersome

Indicates a mild level of inconvenience or annoyance.

infuriating

Signifies intense anger and outrage.

vexatious

Suggests something that causes worry or distress.

irksome

Describes something that is tedious and annoying.

provoking

Emphasizes the act of deliberately causing annoyance or anger.

displeasing

Focuses on the lack of satisfaction or enjoyment.

trying

Highlights the demanding or difficult nature of something.

FAQs

How to use "irritating" in a sentence?

"Irritating" is an adjective that can describe something causing annoyance. For example, "The buzzing of the fly was extremely irritating."

What can I say instead of "irritating"?

You can use alternatives like "annoying", "exasperating", or "aggravating" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "irritating" or "irritated"?

"Irritating" describes something that causes annoyance, while "irritated" describes the feeling of being annoyed. For example, "The constant noise was irritating" vs. "I felt irritated by the noise."

What's the difference between "irritating" and "frustrating"?

"Irritating" suggests a minor annoyance, while "frustrating" implies a feeling of being hindered or blocked from achieving a goal.