irritating

Adjective

Synonyms: annoying bothersome galling nettlesome pesky pestering pestiferous plaguy plaguey teasing vexatious vexing

WordNet 3.0

Adjective (3)

causing irritation or annoyance“tapping an annoying rhythm on his glass with his fork”“aircraft noise is particularly bothersome near the airport”“found it galling to have to ask permission”“an irritating delay”“nettlesome paperwork”“a pesky mosquito”“swarms of pestering gnats”“a plaguey newfangled safety catch”“a teasing and persistent thought annoyed him”“a vexatious child”“it is vexing to have to admit you are wrong”Synonyms: annoying bothersome galling nettlesome pesky pestering pestiferous plaguy plaguey teasing vexatious vexing
(used of physical stimuli) serving to stimulate or excite“an irritative agent”Synonyms: irritative
causing physical discomfort“bites of black flies are more than irritating; they can be very painful”Synonyms: painful

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

irritating \irritating\ adj.

1.causing annoyance.

Syn: annoying, galling, chafing, nettlesome, pesky, pestiferous, pestilent, plaguy, plaguey, teasing, vexatious, vexing. [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

2.causing irritation of living tissue; -- used of physical stimuli.

Syn: irritant, irritative. [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

3.causing pain or physical discomfort; as, an irritating burr under his stocking.

Syn: painful. [WordNet 1.5]

Irritate \Ir"ri*tate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Irritated; p. pr. & vb. n. Irritating.] [L. irritatus, p. p. of irritare. Of doubtful origin.] [1913 Webster]

1.To increase the action or violence of; to heighten excitement in; to intensify; to stimulate. [1913 Webster]

Cold maketh the spirits vigorous and irritateth them.— Bacon.[1913 Webster]

2.To excite anger or displeasure in; to provoke; to tease; to exasperate; to annoy; to vex; as, the insolence of a tyrant irritates his subjects. [1913 Webster]

Dismiss the man, nor irritate the god: Prevent the rage of him who reigns above.— Pope.[1913 Webster]

3.(Physiol.) To produce irritation in; to stimulate; to cause to contract. See Irritation, n., 2. [1913 Webster]

4.(Med.) To make morbidly excitable, or oversensitive; to fret; as, the skin is irritated by friction; to irritate a wound by a coarse bandage.

Syn: To fret; inflame; excite; provoke; tease; vex; exasperate; anger; incense; enrage.

Usage: To Irritate, Provoke, Exasperate. These words express different stages of excited or angry feeling. Irritate denotes an excitement of quick and slightly angry feeling which is only momentary; as, irritated by a hasty remark. To provoke implies the awakening of some open expression of decided anger; as, a provoking insult. Exasperate denotes a provoking of anger at something unendurable. Whatever comes across our feelings irritates; whatever excites anger provokes; whatever raises anger to a high point exasperates. "Susceptible and nervous people are most easily irritated; proud people are quickly provoked; hot and fiery people are soonest exasperated." --Crabb. [1913 Webster]