IRRITATE • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Irritate

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/ˈɪrɪtˌeɪt/ Listen

verb

Irritate v. t. To render null and void. (R.)

Irritate v. t. (past & past part. irritated; pres. part. irritating)

1.

To increase the action or violence of; to heighten excitement in; to intensify; to stimulate. "Cold maketh the spirits vigorous and irritateth them."

2.

To excite anger or displeasure in; to provoke; to tease; to exasperate; to annoy; to vex; as, the insolence of a tyrant irritates his subjects. "Dismiss the man, nor irritate the god: Prevent the rage of him who reigns above."

3.

(Physiol.) To produce irritation in; to stimulate; to cause to contract. See Irritation, n., 2.

4.

(Med.) To make morbidly excitable, or oversensitive; to fret; as, the skin is irritated by friction; to irritate a wound by a coarse bandage.

Synonyms: To fret; inflame; excite; provoke; tease; vex; exasperate; anger; incense; enrage. To Irritate, Provoke, Exasperate. These words express different stages of excited or angry feeling. Irritate denotes an excitement of quick and slightly angry feeling which is only momentary; as, irritated by a hasty remark. To provoke implies the awakening of some open expression of decided anger; as, a provoking insult. Exasperate denotes a provoking of anger at something unendurable. Whatever comes across our feelings irritates; whatever excites anger provokes; whatever raises anger to a high point exasperates. "Susceptible and nervous people are most easily irritated; proud people are quickly provoked; hot and fiery people are soonest exasperated."

adjective

Irritate adj. Excited; heightened. (Obs.)

See images of 'Irritate'

Etymology of 'Irritate'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Irritate" Quotes from Famous Books

... turned reproachfully towards Madame Langai. "Why did you irritate him when he was mad enough already?" he cried. "What will you gain by his death? He has a son who will inherit everything, you know. Yes, everything will belong ...

— The Poor Plutocrats • Maurus Jokai

... is requisite on the part of the mind to perfect and sublime wisdom, but also all that can be required on the part of the will or the manners, in which benignity and gentleness are so conjoined with majesty that, though fortune has attacked you with continued injustice, it has failed either to irritate or crush you. And this constrains me to such veneration that I not only think this work due to you, since it treats of philosophy which is the study of wisdom, but likewise feel not more zeal for my reputation as a philosopher ...

— The Principles of Philosophy • Rene Descartes

... all Dick said, but the smile he gave Mr. Graylock seemed to irritate that gentleman more ...

— Dick the Bank Boy - Or, A Missing Fortune • Frank V. Webster

... Chinese characters, and according, to their custom. And although I did not think that such appeals should be listened to, and gave my reason therefor, still the auditors persisted in endeavoring to try this case. In order not to irritate them, I have overlooked the matter, as it seemed to me that they could act in this case with less evil consequences than in the others. I advise your Majesty of it, petitioning you that it may be to your royal service to have the Audiencia notified as to what regulations ...

— The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898: Volume XXII, 1625-29 • Various

... the forest. At the first glance, they appeared like dwelling places; and, knowing something of the habits of the Indians, Rodolph and two of his companions approached them warily, fearing to surprise and irritate the inhabitants. But after making a circuit, and ascertaining that these supposed huts had no doorways, they went up to them, and found them to be solid mounds, at the foot of which neatly plaited baskets, filled with ears of maize, were placed. These were eagerly seized upon; and a further search ...

— The Pilgrims of New England - A Tale Of The Early American Settlers • Mrs. J. B. Webb

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