IRRITATE


Meaning of IRRITATE in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈir-ə-ˌtāt ]

verb

( -tat·ed ; -tat·ing )

Etymology: Latin irritatus, past participle of irritare

Date: 1598

transitive verb

1. : to provoke impatience, anger, or displeasure in : annoy

2. : to induce irritability in or of

intransitive verb

: to cause or induce displeasure or irritation

• ir·ri·tat·ing·ly -ˌtā-tiŋ-lē adverb

Synonyms:

irritate , exasperate , nettle , provoke , rile , peeve mean to excite a feeling of anger or annoyance. irritate implies an often gradual arousing of angry feelings that may range from mere impatience to rage

constant nagging that irritated me greatly

exasperate suggests galling annoyance and the arousing of extreme impatience

his exasperating habit of putting off needed decisions

nettle suggests a sharp but passing annoyance or stinging

your pompous attitude nettled several people

provoke implies an arousing of strong annoyance that may excite to action

remarks made solely to provoke her

rile implies inducing an angry or resentful agitation

the new work schedules riled the employees

peeve suggests arousing fretful often petty or querulous irritation

a toddler peeved at being refused a cookie

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.