Basic Details
Word: Irritate
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To make someone feel annoyed or angry.
Synonyms: Annoy, bother, disturb, vex
Antonyms: Comfort, soothe, please
Idioms and Phrases
- Rub someone the wrong way: To annoy or irritate someone. Example: "The loud music really rubbed me the wrong way while I was studying."
- Picking at someone's nerves: To continually annoy or irritate someone. Example: "His constant questions about my homework were picking at my nerves."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The buzzing of the flies started to irritate me as I tried to concentrate on my work.
Example 2: It can irritate your friends if you continually interrupt them when they are speaking.
Example 3: She found it irritating when her brother borrowed her things without asking.
Fun Fact
The word "irritate" comes from the Latin word "irritare," which means "to provoke" or "to stimulate." It is closely related to feelings of discomfort.
Famous Quote
"Dont let the noise of others opinions drown out your own inner voice." Steve Jobs, which reminds us that external annoyances should not distract us from our true selves.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "irritate" mean?
a) To make someone feel happy
b) To make someone feel annoyed
c) To make someone feel calm
d) To make someone feel tired
Answer: b) To make someone feel annoyed
2. Which of these is a synonym of "irritate"?
a) Comfort
b) Soothe
c) Annoy
d) Please
Answer: c) Annoy
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "irritate"?
a) Vex
b) Disturb
c) Comfort
d) Bother
Answer: c) Comfort
4. Which sentence uses "irritate" correctly?
a) The loud sound of the horn didn't irritate me at all.
b) It was nice of her to irritate the baby with gifts.
c) The heat will irritate you if you sit outside too long.
d) Its often better to irritate rather than help.
Answer: c) The heat will irritate you if you sit outside too long.
5. Which idiom means to irritate someone?
a) Rub someone the wrong way
b) Fly under the radar
c) A piece of cake
d) Hit the nail on the head
Answer: a) Rub someone the wrong way
