irritate

(verb)

verb

1. cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations

- It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves

Similar word(s): annoy, bother, chafe, devil, gravel, nark, nettle, rag, rile, vex

Definition categories: emotion, displease

2. excite to an abnormal condition, or chafe or inflame

- Aspirin irritates my stomach

Definition categories: body, aggravate, exacerbate, exasperate, worsen

3. excite to some characteristic action or condition, such as motion, contraction, or nervous impulse, by the application of a stimulus

- irritate the glands of a leaf

Definition categories: change, excite, stimulate