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

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. (Pope)

3. (Science: physiology) to produce irritation in; to stimulate; to cause to contract. See irritation.

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

Synonym: 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 irrita 4b4 ted; proud people are quickly provoked; hot and fiery people are soonest exasperated.

Origin: L. Irritatus, p. P. Of irritare. Of doubtful origin.