irritated
Rubbed the wrong way
Irritated describes mild anger or annoyance, often from repeated or persistent provocation: She was irritated by his constant interruptions.
The word also applies to physical discomfort—skin becomes irritated from friction or chemicals, eyes from dust or allergies.
Both senses share the idea of something being rubbed the wrong way.
Intensely irritated, patience gone
- frustratedAnnoyed by obstacles
- infuriatedExtremely angered
- incensedExtremely angry
- irateExtremely angry
fuming · livid · seething · indignant · resentful · outraged · offended · affronted
Provoked or medically irritated
- rednessCrimson-hued state
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
- sorePainful or annoyed
- tenderSoft or sore
raw · burning · stinging · hot · infection · inflammation · rash · flushed
Provoking scratching urges
- scratchyRough and irritating
- pricklySpiny or irritable
- tinglyCausing light prickling
- rashyHaving skin irritation
hives · eczema · dermatitis · allergic reaction · mosquito bite · poison ivy · nettled · chafed
annoyed
Mildly vexed
miffed · nettled · displeased · disgruntled · grumpy · cranky · testy · tetchy · grouchy · peevish
exasperated
Intensely irritated, patience gone
- frustratedAnnoyed by obstacles
- infuriatedExtremely angered
- incensedExtremely angry
irate · fuming · livid · seething · indignant · resentful · outraged · offended · affronted · aggrieved
inflamed
Provoked or medically irritated
tender · raw · burning · stinging · hot · infection · inflammation · rash · flushed · reactive
itchy
Provoking scratching urges
rashy · hives · eczema · dermatitis · allergic reaction · mosquito bite · poison ivy · nettled · chafed · stinging
agitated
Emotionally disturbed, restless
tense · jittery · fidgety · antsy · uneasy · flustered · ruffled · perturbed · unsettled · wound up
- fed-upannoyed, frustrated, exasperated, had it, had enough
- irritabilitycranky, grouchy, grumpy, annoyed, testy
- drove someone nutsannoyed, frustrated, aggravated, exasperated, maddened
- emotionsjoy, anger, fear, sadness, love
- negative tonesangry, bitter, cynical, hostile, resentful
- offendedoffended, insulted, slighted, affronted, indignant
- skin irritationInflamed epidermal condition
- eye irritationDiscomfort in the organ of sight
- throat irritationDiscomfort in the gullet
- chemical irritationHarmful reaction to substances
- nerve irritationInflamed or compressed neuron
- nasal irritationDiscomfort in nostrils