irritating meaning and definition

IRRITATING adjective

Definition of irritating (adjective)

1. 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, plaguey, plaguy, teasing, vexatious, vexing
2. (used of physical stimuli) serving to stimulate or excite
   • "an irritative agent"
   • synonyms: irritative
3. causing physical discomfort
   • "bites of black flies are more than irritating; they can be very painful"
   • synonyms: painful