irritating
Getting under skin
Irritating describes something that causes mild annoyance or discomfort.
An irritating noise grates on the nerves; an irritating habit wears on patience over time.
The word also applies to physical sensation—an irritating rash, an irritating cough.
Something irritating isn't infuriating, just persistently bothersome: His constant interruptions were irritating.
Intensely irritating
- infuriatingCausing extreme anger
- vexingCausing mild torment
- frustratingCausing irritation, blocking progress
- aggravatingCausing irritation or worsening
maddening · irksome · bothersome · galling · nettlesome · tiresome · wearisome · tedious
Persistent bothering or complaining
- incessantNever pausing or stopping
- unrelentingRefusing to let up
- relentlessContinuing without pause
- constantFixed, unvarying quantity
repetitive · continual · chronic · unabating · insistent · dogged · obstinate · recurring
Rough enough to erode
- jarringDisturbingly incongruous
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
- stridentHarsh and piercing
- scratchyRough and irritating
raspy · screeching · discordant · cacophonous · piercing · gritty · rough · shrill
Tending to provoke outrage
- antagonisticActively opposed or hostile
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
- incendiaryCausing or designed for burning
- confrontationalInclined toward hostile encounters
contentious · goading · baiting · taunting · needling · agitating · inciting · riling
exasperating
Intensely irritating
- infuriatingCausing extreme anger
- vexingCausing mild torment
- frustratingCausing irritation, blocking progress
aggravating · maddening · irksome · bothersome · galling · nettlesome · tiresome · wearisome · tedious · troublesome
nagging
Persistent bothering or complaining
- incessantNever pausing or stopping
- unrelentingRefusing to let up
- relentlessContinuing without pause
constant · repetitive · continual · chronic · unabating · insistent · dogged · obstinate · recurring · unceasing
abrasive
Rough enough to erode
scratchy · raspy · screeching · discordant · cacophonous · piercing · gritty · rough · shrill · squeaky
inflammatory
Tending to provoke outrage
- antagonisticActively opposed or hostile
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
- incendiaryCausing or designed for burning
confrontational · contentious · goading · baiting · taunting · needling · agitating · inciting · riling · rousing
itchy
Provoking scratching urges
tingling · smarting · chafing · scratching · inflaming · rashy · raw · sore · uncomfortable · sensitive
- irritatingannoying, aggravating, bothersome, exasperating, frustrating
- annoying behaviorsnagging, pestering, bothering, aggravating, whining
- exhaustingdraining, taxing, tiring, exhausting, fatiguing
- spamspam, junk mail, spam filter, spam folder, bulk mail
- body discomfortsitching, burning, stinging, aching, throbbing
- emotional reactionsinspiring, moving, touching, heartwarming, chilling
irritatingpleasing
Causing enjoyment or satisfaction
pleasant · delightful · charming · agreeable · endearing
irritatingsoothing
Reducing distress or discomfort
calming · comforting · mollifying · relaxing · comfortable
- 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