Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Feeling annoyed or impatient: Describes a state of mild to moderate anger, frustration, or displeasure, often caused by something bothersome or repetitive.
   • Inflamed or sore: In a medical or physical context, describes skin or a body part that is red, sore, or inflamed due to rubbing, a substance, or an allergic reaction.

Usage and Examples

• Feeling annoyed:
  • She was irritated by the constant noise from the construction site.
  • His vague answers left me feeling irritated and confused.
• Physically inflamed:
  • The new laundry detergent left my skin feeling irritated and itchy.
  • My eyes became irritated from the chlorine in the pool.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "to be irritated by/at something/someone": This is the most common prepositional structure to indicate the cause of the annoyance.
  • He was visibly irritated at the constant interruptions.
• "to get/become irritated": Describes the process of becoming annoyed or inflamed.
  • I get irritated when people are late without calling.

Variants and Related Words

• Irritate (verb): To cause annoyance or mild anger; to cause inflammation.
  • Loud chewing noises irritate me.
  • The smoke irritated her throat.
• Irritating (adjective): Causing annoyance or inflammation.
  • He has an irritating habit of tapping his pen.
  • This is an irritating chemical; wear gloves.
• Irritation (noun): The feeling of being annoyed; the state of being inflamed.
  • She couldn't hide her irritation.
  • The rash causes significant skin irritation.

Synonyms

• Annoyed: Slightly angry or impatient.
• Exasperated: Intensely irritated or frustrated.
• Aggravated (informal): Made more severe or worse, often used for annoyance.
• Nettled: Irritated or provoked.
• Peeved (informal): Annoyed.

Antonyms

• Pleased: Feeling happy or satisfied.
• Calm: Not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions.
• Soothed: Gently calmed or relieved.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Wear on someone's nerves": To gradually irritate someone.
  • His complaining is starting to wear on my nerves.
• "Rub someone the wrong way": To irritate or annoy someone, often without a specific reason.
  • His arrogant attitude really rubs me the wrong way.

Adjective

1. aroused to impatience or anger
   • made an irritated gesture
   • feeling nettled from the constant teasing
   • peeved about being left out
   • felt really pissed at her snootiness
   • riled no end by his lies
   • roiled by the delay