 irritate |
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| 1. | [ verb ] cause annoyance in; disturb, esp. by minor irritations | |
| Synonyms: | bother annoy vex nettle devil get_at rile gravel nark get_to chafe rag | |
| Examples: | : "Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me" "It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves" |
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| Related terms: | displease harass antagonize ruffle torment get grate peeve fret chafe botheration mischief annoyance pique tease irritant aggravation annoyance | |
| 2. | [ verb ] excite to an abnormal condition, of chafe or inflame | |
| Examples: | "Aspirin irritates my stomach" |
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| Related terms: | soothe worsen rub chafe irritation | |
| 3. | [ verb ] excite to some characteristic action or condition, such as motion, contraction, or nervous impulse, by the application of a stimulus | |
| Examples: | "irritate the glands of a leaf" |
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| Related terms: | stimulate pinch physiology | |
| Similar spelling: |
irritated irritative irritation irritating irradiate |
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